THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


Ex  Librls 

Katharine  F.  Richmond 

and 

Henry  C.  Fall 


41^4^^ 


■■    "-y. 


'/' 


7    i,!-,r„-f:,  l,ll,„,)^.   Jn.sO.n 


^t^^  .^4-^/^^^-^^^^^ 


THE 


LIFE,  EXPERIENCE,  AND  TRAVELS, 


JOHN    COLBY, 


PREACHER  OF  THE  GOSPEL. 


WRITTEN      BY      HIMSELF 


Come  Bad  hear,  all  ye  that  fear  God and  I  will  declare  what  he 

halh  done  for  my  soul Psalms,  Ixvi.  16. 

We  speak  that  we  do  know,  and  testify  that  we  have  seen. 
John,  iii.  11. 


LOWELL,    MASS. 

PUBLISHED   BY  N.  THUKSTON  Sc  A.  WATSOX. 
1838. 


Power  press  of  L.  Huntress.... Central  st.,  Lowell,  Ms. 


PREFACE, 

To  THK  Header. 

When  I  first  began  tc^keep  a  Journal  of  my  Life  and 
Travels,  I  had  no  intention  of  publishing  a  acroU  of  it  in  my 
life  time.  But,  when  I  had  travelled  several  years,  and  hid 
seen  many  hundreds  of  souls  converted  to  God,  I  thought  it 
a  duty  which  I  owed  to  Him,  and  his  people,  to  publish  a 
brief  account  of  the  wonderful  manifestations  of  his  good- 
ness, and  displays  of  his  power,  both  to  myself  and  others: 
fearing-,  if  I  did  not  put  these  things  to  the  press  myself, 
they  might,  like  some  other  valuable  writings  of  this  nature, 
be  neglected  and  never  be  published.  And  being  strongly 
fiolicted  by  many  of  the  lovers  of  Jesus,  of  different  de- 
nominations, I  prepared  this  first  volume  for  the  press, which 
contains  a  brief  account  of  the  first  twenty-seven  years, 
(lacking  a  few  months)  of  my  life. — In  giving  this  account, 
I  have  endeavored  to  make  use  of  words  easy  to  be  under- 
stood, and  to  avoid  all  exaggeration  ;  and  have  labored  to 
represent  those  things  which  I  have  seen  and  heard,  as  they 
appeared  to  me  at  the  time. 

I  have  sometimes  found  it  necessary,  in  great  reforma- 
tions, &c.  to  mention  ihe  particulars  from  day  to  day  ;  while 
at  other  times,  I  have  passed  over  months  and  years,  with 
very  few  remarks. 


'if:^F^?-lH 


IV 

I  have  also  been  iinJer  the  necessity  of  mentioning  the 
names  of  a  great  many  people,  and  sometimes  their  char- 
acters ;  hut  not  with  a  design  of  doing  them  any  harm. — 
Where  people  have  been  kind  to  me,  I  have  noted  it ;  and 
where  I  have  met  with  opposition,  I  have  mentioned  that, 
and  only  wish,  that  such  may  amend  their  ways  and  their 
doings.  I  do  not  expect  that  the  following  sheets  will  he 
very  entertaining,  to  tliose  who  are  the  avowed  enemies  of 
Jesus  Christ ;  nor  to  those  who  have  a  form  of  godliness, 
l)ut  deny  the  power  thereof.  And  perhaps  those  who  are 
built,  and  building,  on  the  doctrines  of  men,  will  oveiloc-k 
my  subject.  While  I  humbly  trust,  those,  who  liave  found 
Him,  of  whom  Moses  in  the  law  and  the  prophets  did  write, 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  will  most  heartily  join  with  me,  to 
speak  of  the  glory  of  his  kingdom,  and  talk  of  his  power. — 
I,  therefore,  dedicate  it  to  God  and  his  people — and  to  poor 
mourning,  laboring,  heavy-laden,  penitent  sinners,  who  are 
longing  for  an  interest  in  Chri  t.  Hand  it,  O  my  Saviour, 
to  the  hearts  of  thousands,  to  their  eternal  joy,  and  thine 
eternal  praise.     Amen.  J.  C 


LIFE,  &c.  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 


I  was  born  in  the  town  of  Sandwich,  in  the  county 
of  Strafford,  and  State  of  New-Hampshire,  Decem- 
ber 9th,  A.  D.  1787.  My  father's  name  was  Thom- 
as Colby,  born  at  Amesbury,  Mass  ;  my  mother, 
Elizabeth  Atwood,  born  in  Weare,  N.  H.  ;  they 
now  reside  in  Sutton  Vt.  formerly  Billy  mead.  I  re- 
member when  I  was  but  a  child,  and  while  in  the  midst 
of  those  vanities  peculiar  to  that  age,  the  Lord  reprov- 
ed me  by  his  spirit,  and  manifested  to  my  mind,  that 
I  was  born  to  die.  And  being  informed  by  my  in- 
structors, that  there  was  a  day  of  judgement  after 
death,  at  which  time  all  the  dead,  both  small  and 
great,  must  stand  before  God,  and  be  judged  accord- 
ing to  the  deeds  done  in  the  body;  and  that  those  wha 
loved  God,  and  were  sincere  christians,  would  bs  re- 
ceived into  heaven,  where  God  and  angels  resided: 
But,  that  those  who  were  not  christians,  would  ba 
cast  into  hell,  where  the  devil  and  his  angels  were  con- 
fined.— While  I  thought  on  these  things,  a  question 
like  this  arose  in  my  mind.  What  is  it  to  be  a  christ- 
ian? And  not  being  able  to  determine  in  my  own 
mind,  being  only  about  eight  years  of  age,  my  anxiety 
led  me  to  enter  into  a  conversation  on  the  subject, 
with  my  brother,  who  was  older  than  myself,  in  hopes 
to  get  some  information  from  him.  But  the  most  that 
I  can  remember  of  his  conversation    is,  that   he    toli 


6  LIFE    OF   JOHN    COLET. 

me,  that  faihoi*  and  mother  were  christians;  and  that 
he  and  I  were  sinners,  l^ut,  said  he,  "1  mean  to  be  a 
christian  bi^fore  I  die."  I  answered,  so  do  I.  I  re- 
member I  tlioii^rht  tliat  he  was  older  than  I,  and  if  he 
could  put  offthe-e  things  to  a  future  period,  it  might 
be  well  for  me  to  do  so  loo.  JUit  1  can  now  see, 
how  children  in  the  morning  of  life,  neglect  seeking  the 
Lord,  by  the  example  of  tliose  who  are  older.  It 
pleased  God,  one  night  in  a  dream,  to  convince  me, 
that  1  had  a  soul,  which  would  exist  after  my  body 
was  dead.  In  the  dead  of  niaht,  while  deep  sleep 
W'as  upon  me,  I  dreamed,  and  lo!  a  man  entered  the 
door  of  the  aj)artment  where  May,  \vith  a  loaded  mus- 
ket in  his  hand;  aufi  while  1  lay  looking  at  i!ie  man,  to 
my  great  surprise,  he  took  aim  at  me  and  fired!  The 
explosion  was  loud  as  thunder;  and  the  fatal  charge 
pierced  through  my  breast.  An  awful  scene  immedi- 
ately presented!  ftiy  body  began  to  decay  and  fade 
like  the  flower  of  the  grass,  until  it  returned  to  its 
mother  earth,  and  fell  into  a  silent  ro|)Ose.  The  soul 
revived  in  proportion  to  the  recession  of  the  body, 
and  appeared  to  be  both  perplexed  and  distressed,  and 
in  great  consternation  flew  around  the  walls  of  the  clay 
tenement,  fluttering  at  each  avenue,  and  crying  for 
help,  as  if  loth  to  leave  its  wonted  abode;  until  the 
lungs  ceased  to  heave,  the  pulse  to  beat,  and  blood  to 
flow.  The  soul  then  was  forced  out.  The  scene 
then  appeared  eternal,  and  as  I  was  about  to  take  my 
flight  to  unknown  worlds,  and  leave  every  earthly 
thing  behind  me,  I  immediately  awoke,  and  behold  it 
was  a  dream  ! 

This  thoroughly  convinced  me  that  the  soul  exist- 
ed after  the  body  was  dead.  Conviction  now  began 
to  roll  heavy  on  my  mind;  but  my  language  was  "Lord, 
I  am  young — I  am  but  a  child — spare  me  till  such 
and  such  a  time — then  I  will  attend  to  thy  call." — 
But  alas!  when  the  appointed  time  came,  1  was  no 
less  anxiousjto  put  of}' these  things  than  before.     How- 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  7 

ever,  the  alarming  dream  followed  me;  and  by  times, 
to  such  a  degree,  that  I  sometimes  wished  I  had  nev- 
er been  born. 

I  also  recollect,  that  I  was  one  day  coming  from 
meeting,  and  as  I  was  contemplating  on  my  situation, 
I  felt  such  a  load  of  sin  and  guilt  upon  my  conscience, 
that  it  seemed  to  me,  that  I  could  not  live  under  it. 
In  this  distress,  I  cried  out  with  an  audible  voice, 
"here  Lord  I  am,  do  with  me  as  thou  wilt."  But 
notwithstanding  I  so  cried,  I  soon  found  that  I  was 
unwilling  that  the  will  of  God  should  be  done.  For 
when  I  returned  home,  I  felt  an  impression  (which  I 
really  think  was  from  the  Lord)  to  kneel  down  and 
pray  to  him  for  mercy.  And  had  I  obeyed  it,  I  doubt 
not,  that  I  should  have  found  rest  and  peace  to  my 
troubled  soul.  ^  But  the  cross  appeared  so  great  to  me. 
that  instead  of  obeying  the  Spirit  of  God,  I  immedi- 
ately began  to  pray,  like  Felix,  "go  thy  way  for  this 
time,  and  when  I  have  a  convenient  season,  f  will  call 
for  tiiee,"  But,  alas!  how  shocking  must  have  been 
the  consequence,  had  he  granted  my  wicked  prayer; 
that  is,  "gone  his  way,"  and  returned  to  me  no  more. 
I  must  then  have  taken  up  this  doleful  lamentation; 
"the  harvest  is  past,  the  summer  is  ended,  and  I  am 
not  saved."  Bui  mercy  interposed;  the  golden  scep- 
tre was  held  out,  and  life  and  salvation  offered  to  a 
guilty  sinner,  without  money  or  price,  but  not  with- 
out an  hearty  repentance.  My  attention  was  often 
called  up,  both  by  mercies  and  judgements;  and  I  of- 
ten felt  my  danger,  especially  in  times  when  deaths 
were  frequent;  also  in  thunder  storms,  I  was  much 
terrified,  especially  if  I  was  away  from  my  parents: 
but  if  I  could  get  near  to  them,  or  any  other  good 
people,  I  thought  they  would  be  a  kind  of  refuge  fur 
me,  and  felt  myself  more  secure,  and  thought  I  might 
be  s|)ared  for  their  sake. 

Here  I  must  omit  the  rehearsal  of  a  multitude  of 
occurrences,  which  happened  in  the  course  of  several 


8  LIFE    OP  JOHN   COLBY. 

years,  whilst  a  great  part  of  the  time  I  was  travelling 
in  pain  all  the  day,  and  a  dreadful  sound  in  my  ears; 
the  devil  all  the  while  throwing  the  most  awful  tempt- 
ations into  my  mind,  and  trying  by  all  his  hellish  art, 
to  lull  my  conscience  to  sleep,  'relling  me  that  "to- 
morrow shall  be  as  this  day,  and  much  more  abund- 
ant." Always  trying  to  persuade  me  to  neglect  seek- 
ing the  Lord  tor  the  present.  But  I  remember  when 
I  was  in  my  fourteenth  year,  I  was  greatly  awakened, 
by  the  conversation  and  death  of  my  grandmother  Col- 
by, she  being  fourscore  and  four  years  old;  being 
brought  upon  her  death  bed,  having  a  hope  like  an 
anchor  to  the  soul,  both  sure  and  steadfast — her  work 
all  done,  and  I  believe  well  done.  I  went  one  day  to 
visit  her,  and  while  I  was  beholding  her  languishing 
situation,  her  body  fast  decaying,  her  soul  patiently 
waiting  for  her  change,  and  desiring  to  meet  death, 
and  to  exchange  a  world  of  sorrow  and  pain,  for  a 
world  of  joy  and  pleasure;  she  turned  her  dying  eyes 
on  me  and  said,  "John,  you  have  been  a  good  boy  to 
rae,  and  now,  all  I  require  of  yon  is,  to  love  the  Lord." 
These  words  reached  my  soul,  and  the  requirement  I 
never  forgot.  When  I  retired  from  the  mournful 
scene,  and  was  returning  home,  the  sorrows  of  my 
heart  drowned  my  eyes  with  tears.  Her  words  were 
fastened  in  my  heart,  like  a  nail  in  a  sure  place.  My 
gins,  like  ponderous  mountains,  appeared  to  revolve 
upon  my  guilty  soul.  I  knew  not  what  to  do.  If  I 
looked  up;  I  saw  the  justice  of  (iod.  If  1  looked 
down,  I  saw  a  hell,  which  was  enlarged  without  meas- 
ure, gaping  to  receive  me.  If  I  looked  forward,  I 
beheld  an  approaching,  (endless)  eternity,  into  which 
I  must  soon  enter.  If  I  looked  back,  I  saw  a  life  spent 
in  sin,  and  considered  that  damnation  must  be  my  por- 
tion; and  that  forever  and  ever.  But  notwithstand- 
ing all  those  impressions,  I  was  not  3ntirely  willing  to 
deny  myself,  take  up  my  cross  daily,  and  follow  the 
blessed  Redeemer;  and  therefore,  could  not  as  yet  be 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT.  9 

his  disciple.  So  I  still  remained  in  a  state  of  con- 
demnation, and  under  the  power  of  a  carnal  mind. 
When  I  arrived  to  the  age  of  fifteen,  my  father  sold 
his  possessions  in  Sandwich,  and  removed  his  family 
to  Billymead,  state  of  Vermont,  county  of  Caledonia, 
where,  coming  into  a  new  country,  and  being  in  new 
company,  and  beholding  new  objects,  I  found  my  for- 
mer determinations  very  much  frustrated;  and  my 
mind  began  to  be  filled  with  many  things  which  prov- 
ed detrimental  to  the  work  of  regeneration.  And  as  I 
advanced  in  years,  I  found  my  mind  more  strongly 
inclined  to  seek  for  worldly  riches,  honors  &c.  I  be- 
gan, also,  to  be  much  inclined  to  go  into  rude  compa- 
ny, (which  every  person  under  conviction  must  bid 
adieu  to,  or  the  Spirit  of  God  will  surely  leave  them.) 
These  things  produced  in  me  a  great  stupidity  of  mind; 
yet  I  was  not  entirely  without  conviction. 

I  recollect  of  joining  a  company  of  young  people 
one  evening,  who  were  met  for  what  they  called  civil 
mirth.  The  evening  was  chiefly  spent  in  dancing,  an 
exercise  which  I  never  practised;  but  being  strongly 
persuaded,  rather  than  be  considered  as  separate  from 
the  company,  I  consented,  and  joined  the  dance. 
This  was  a  dear  dance  to  me;  for  as  soon  as  I  retired 
and  had  got  home,  I  began  to  take  a  retrospective  view 
of  the  scene,  and  to  think  of  what  I  had  been  about; 
and  asked  myself  the  following  questions: — Has  this 
night's  work  been  for  the  glory  of  that  God  who  made 
me  a  rational  creature,  and  has  fed  me,  and  clothed 
me,  and  blessed  me  with  gospel  privileges,  afforded 
me  a  day  and  means  of  grace,  and  given  me  a  space 
to  repent,  and  just  time  enough  to  make  my  peace 
with  him?  Have  I  conducted  this  evening  as  one  that 
must  give  an  account,  and  as  I  can  answer  before  his 
judgement  seat?  These  questions  were  scarcely  pro- 
pounded in  my  mind,  before  I  felt  the  sentence  of  con- 
demnation in  myself.  I  found  that  my  heart  condemn- 
ed me;  and  remembered  that  God  was  greater  than 


10  LIFE    OF    JOHN   COLBY. 

my  heart,  and  knew  all  things;  and  would  bring  every 
work  into  judgement.  I  retired  to  my  bed  for  repose; 
but  the  torment  of  n)y  mind  was  sucii,  that  I  could  not 
rest.  Fearful  apprehensions  filled  my  soul,  and  I  dar- 
ed not  close  my  eyes  in  sleep,  lest  i  should  awake  in 
hell.  Under  this  distress,  I  renewed  my  old  promis- 
es to  reform,  which,  however,  I  afterwards  broke  in 
many  instances;  but  the  Lord  was  stfll  mindful  of  me, 
and  convinced  me  of  my  errors,  arid  reminded  me  of 
my  broken  promises,  by  laying  his  chastising  rod  up- 
on me;  for,  from  the  time  that  I  was  ten,  till  I  was 
nineteen  years  of  age,  I  had  a  settled  fever  five  times; 
and  several  times  my  life  was  despaired  of.  I  had 
many  other  diseases  incident  to  our  mortal  frame, 
which  attended  through  the  same  term  of  time;  be- 
sides many  dreadful  accidents,  from  which  1  did  but 
narrowly  escape  with  my  life.  And  I  have  often 
thought  since,  that  if  it  had  not  been  that  some  minis- 
tering spirit  prevented  me,  I  must  have  been  suddenly 
hurled  into  eternity  in  all  my  sins.  And  when  I  re- 
flect on  the  dangers  I  have  escaped,  I  am  struck  with 
astonishment,  and  am  a  wonder  to  myself  that  1  am 
out  of  hell,  and  on  praying  ground.  But,  glory  to 
God,  that  his  Spirit  still  strove  with  me,  and  called 
upon  me  in  nameless  ways.  Yet  I  continued  to  run 
the  dangerous  road,  and  often  grieved  that  tender  Spir- 
it, which  so  kindly  reproved  me. 

When  I  was  about  seventeen  years  and  nine  months 
old,  a  reformation  began  in  the  town  where  1  lived, 
and  one  of  my  sisters,  who  was  peculiarly  dear  to  me, 
was  the  first  that  was  converted  and  baptized.  This 
greatly  astonished  and  alarmed  me.  An  evening 
meeting  was  appointed  in  the  neighborhood,  which  1 
attended,  and  I  believe  the  Spirit  of  God  fell  on  the 
assembly  in  a  marvellous  manner;  and  the  very  found- 
ation of  every  earthly  mind  seemed  to  tremble. 

My  eldest  brother,  who  had  for  many  years  before 
possessed  religion,  and   had   been   in  a  backslidden 


LIFE    OF   JOHN  COLBY.  11 

State,  was  alarmed  of  his  situation,  and  that  evening, 
was  led  to  such  a  view  of  his  state,  that  he  walked  the 
street  and  field  in  the  greatest  agony  of  soul,  under  a 
persuasion  that  his  day  of  grace  was  over.  However, 
it  pleased  God  to  grant  him  salvation  before  the  close 
of  the  meeting.  This  struck  me  under  deep  convic- 
tion; and  my  prayer  to  God  was,  that  he  would  re- 
deem my  soul  from  sin  and  death,  and  prepare  me  for 
my  approaching  dissolution.  I  returned  home,  and  it 
appeared  to  me  that  my  prayer  in  some  good  measure 
was  answered.  I  fell  very  different  from  what  I  had 
felt  before.  The  gloom  which  had  so  long  been  gath- 
ering on  my  mind,  and  seemed  to  veil  universal  na- 
ture, was  all  dispelled;  a  sweet  calmness  filled  my 
soul — but  I  was  not  able  to  comprehend  my  feelings; 
for  I  thought  it  impossible  that  God  had  changed  my 
state,  the  work-was  so  different  from  what  I  had  ex- 
pected. For  (like  other  unconverted  people)  I  had 
been,  all  my  days,  drawing  a  plan  of  the  whole  work 
of  regeneration,  and  had  every  feature  of  it  painted  out 
in  my  mind;  but  when  1  came  to  compare  my  then 
present  feelings,  with  the  picture  I  bad  drawn  in  my 
ignorance,  they  did  not  agree.  "The  natural  man, 
receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  spirit  of  God,  for  they 
are  foolishness  unto  him;  neither  can  he  know  them, be- 
cause they  are  spiritually  discerned."  In  this  situa- 
tion, notwithstanding  the  peace  I  felt  in  my  soul,  I 
feared  I  had  received  nothing  from  the  Lord.  Thus, 
for  a  number  of  days,  I  passed  through  a  scene  of  tri- 
als, before  I  obtained  an  unshaken  hope  in  God.  I 
have  often  thought,  if  my  change  had  been  as  conspic- 
uous to  me  as  that  of  some,  who  can  tell  the  hour,  and 
the  moment,  and  the  very  spot  where  they  were,  when 
their  sins  like  mountains,  were  removed  from  them  and 
the  effulgent  rays  of  the  glory  of  God  shined  in  and 
filled  their  souls;  I  might  have  thrown  away  many, 
perhaps  one  half,  of  the  real  christians  in  the  world, 
because  they  could  not  tell  such  an  experience  as  my- 


12  LIFE    OF    JOHN  GOLBY. 

self.  15ut  the  Lord,  foreseeing  what  he  intended  for 
ine  to  do,  was  pleased  to  lead  me  along  in  this  little 
way,  for  which  I  thank  his  hlessed  name.  I  believe 
there  was  as  great  a  difference  between  my  conversion 
and  that  of  many  christians,  as  tiiere  would  be  between 
the  feelings  of  two  men  born  and  brought  up  in  a  dun- 
geon; the  one  brought  out  of  it  at  noon  day,  when  the 
sun  shone  in  its  meridian  glory;  the  other  brought  out 
first  by  Ptar  light,  then  enjoyed  moonlight,  then  day- 
break, then  sun-rise;  yet  1  can  bless  (iod,  that  I  now 
enjoy,  the  same  sun  beams,  that  all  the  true  followers 
of  the  Lamb  enjoy.  But,  I  would  not  be  understood 
to  mean,  that  I  consider  regeneration  a  progressive 
work;  for  that  change,  in  reality,  is  wrought,  as  soon 
as  God  can  say  to  the  soul,  "son,  or  daughter,  thy 
sins  be  forgiven  thee." — But  the  difficulty  of  not  con- 
sidering it  a  change  in  one's  self,  appears  to  arise  from 
not  clearly  understanding  the  true  witness  in  the  soul; 
or  from  not  obtaining  those  corresponding  evidences, 
which  strengthen  the  witness  in  the  soul,  and  confirm 
the  hope  of  the  new  creature.  In  a  little  more  than  a 
month  after  this,  I  obtained  this  hope,  and  with  thir- 
teen others,  followed  our  Lord  and  Saviour  into  the 
water,  and  were  buried  with  him  by  baptism.  This 
was  on  the  eighth  day  of  December,  A.  U.  1805. 
The  day  following,  was  my  birth  day,  that  is  to  say, 
the  ninth  day  of  December.  On  that  day,  I  joined  the 
church  of  Christ  in  Billymead,  and  endeavored  to  take 
the  armor  of  God,  and  to  face  the  field;  and  declared 
perpetual  war  with  every  darling  sin.  I  travelled 
about  one  year,  through  changing  scenes  and  had  ma- 
ny happy  hours,  when  I  was  faithful  to  the  Lord.  I 
felt  it  my  duty  to  bear  a  public  and  living  testimony 
for  God;  and  in  doing  this,  I  found  an  exceeding  great 
reward.  Yet  I  often  had  many  doubts,  whether  1  was 
ever  made  free  by  the  Son,  or  washed  in  the  precious 
blood  of  Christ,  which  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  During 
this  period,  I  thought  I  felt  a  great   desire  to  see  sin- 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLET.  13 

ners  converted;  but  I  little  thought  that  it  would  ever 
be  my  lot,  to  go  and  preach  the  gospel  to  them,  until 
I  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  About  this  time,  I  be- 
gan to  feel  mipressions  on  my  mind  which  I  knew  not 
what  to  do  with.  These  words  were  continually 
sounding  in  my  ears — "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and 
preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature."  This  voice 
sounded  solemn,  but  the  work  was  so  unexpected  and 
trying  to  me,  that  I  could  not  consent  to  believe  that 
it  was  from  the  Lord  ;  but  concluded  that  it  must  be 
from  an  enemy.  I  went  to  bed  one  evening,  and  as  I 
lay  in  solemn  contemplation  on  the  subject ;  all  at 
once  an  astonishing  scene  of  eternal  things,  opened 
to  my  view.  I  thought  the  day  of  judgment  had  come, 
and  I  viewed  myself  standmg  on  an  extensive  plain, 
which  was  so  large  that  I  cculd  not  see  across  it. — 
Universal  nature  seemed  to  be  all  in  commotion. — 
The  earth  and  seas  were  all  in  convulsion  ;  while  rat- 
tling thunders  were  rumbling  through  the  vast  concave, 
and  rolling  from  pole  to  pole.  I  sought  for  an  hiding 
place,  but,  to  my  great  astonishment  and  horror,  when 
I  looked  as  far  as  my  eye  could  explore,  I  could  see 
neither  mountain,  rock,  nor  hill  to  hide  me  from  the 
face  of  him  who  sat  upon  the  throne,  and  from  the 
wrath  of  the  Lamb.  Neither  could  I  see  any  other 
person  but  myself;  I  stood  alone  in  this  broad  space. 
The  vengeance  of  God  was  displayed,  and  such  aw- 
ful thunder  as  I  never  heard  before,  was  continually 
bursting  and  rattling  over  my  head.  It  seemed  as  if 
those  explosions  began  in  the  third  heavens,  and  came 
rolling  down  with  increasing  majesty,  and  every  bolt 
was  directed  at  me.  In  this  situation,  I  clearly  saw 
that  the  justice  of  God  must  have  its  demands,  and 
viewed  myself  a  lost  and  undone  sinner;  and  that, 
"  forever  and  ever."  It  appeared,  that  my  name  was 
not  enrolled  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  and  that  I 
had  no  inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  O!  I 
can  never  express  the  horror  of  conscience  which  I 
2 


14  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

felt.  And  what  still  added  to  my  liorror,  was,  thai 
notwithstanding  the  frowns  of  the  Almiglny  seemed 
enough  to  sink  a  world,  I  was  made  capable  to  hear 
them.  For  it  then  appeared  to  me,  that  the  omnipo- 
tent God  had  so  formed  me,  that  it  would  be  impos- 
sible to  strike  me  into  non-existence  again.  In  this 
situation,  1  was  expecting  every  moment  to  hear  my 
awful  doom,  "  Depart  ye  cursed."  In  the  mean  time, 
the  heavens  were  gathering  blackness  ;  earth's  huge 
pillars  giving  away!  All  on  a  sudden,  the  scene  was 
changed  ;  in  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  I 
was  translated,  and  caught  up  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  where,  with  inexpressible  admiration,  and  joy 
unspeakable,  I  beheld  the  glories  of  the  place.  O! 
the  sweet  raptures  of  heavenly  love,  which  instantly 
filled  my  soul,  when  I  heard  with  the  greatest  trans- 
port and  astonishment,  the  shouts  of  victory  and  songs 
of  praise,  echoing  through  the  upper  world!  while 
myriads  and  myriads,  stood  round  the  dazzling  throne 
of  God  and  the  Lamb;  all  in  sweet  harmony,  crying, 
Glory!  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest!  Oh!  how  1  was 
filled  with  raptures  and  astonishment,  while  I  beheld 
John  the  Baptist,  Stephen,  Peter,  Paul,  John  Rogers, 
and  thousands  of  others,  who  were  slain  for  the  word 
of  God,  and  the  testimony  which  they  held;  and  seal- 
ed their  testimonies  with  their  blood;  and  took  their 
happy  flight  from  chopping-blocks,  burning  stakes, 
racking-wheels  and  scalding  cauldrons  of  oil,  and  nu- 
merous other  cruel  tortures,  new  in  the  realms  of  glo- 
ry,  all  clad  in  white  robes!  and  in  addition  to  these, 
an  innumerable  company,  a  multitude  which  no  man 
could  number,  who  had  come  out  of  great  tribulation, 
and  had  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  These,  all  joined  in  melo- 
dious anthems  of  never  ceasing  praises,  which  made 
all  the  heavenly  arches  ring  with  melody.  While  the 
angels  joined  to  sing  creating  goodness;  the  saints  all 
sang  redeeming  love.     The  glory  of  the  place  was  in- 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  15 

describable.  They  had  no  need  of  the  light  of  the 
sun,  nor  of  the  moon  ;  for  the  Lord  God  and  the 
Lamb,  was  the  hght  of  the  city.  It  is  impossible  for 
me,  to  express  what  I  then  enjoyed;  neither,  can  I 
find  language  to  describe  what  1  there  beheld.  Lut  it 
appeared  to  me,  that  one  moment's  enjoyment  there, 
would  more  than  compensate  for  all  the  sufferings  of 
the  whole  church  of  God  on  earth.  Well  might  the 
apostle  say,  '•  Now  we  see  through  a  glass  darkly, 
but  then  face  to  face."  It  appeared  to  me,  that  eter- 
nity would  just  be  long  enough,  to  disclose  the  beau- 
ties and  unfold  the  mysteries  of  heaven. 

After  lying  in  this  situation  I  know  not  how  long; 
and  whether  in  the  body  or  out  of  the  body  I  cannot 
tell,  ((iod  knoweth,)  I  came  to  myself,  and  found  that 
I  was  on  the  earth,  for  which  I  felt  to  mourn;  and  for 
a  short  time,  my  spirit  sunk  within  me,  until  I  had  re- 
collected the  subject,  which  I  was  musing  upon, when 
I  lay  down  ;  namely;  the  impressions  I  had  felt  to  go 
and  preach  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  a  lost  world. 
I  then  concluded,  that  what  I  had  seen,  was  to  con- 
firm me  in  my  duty;  and  that  the  impressions  I  had 
felt  were  not  imaginary,  nor  from  an  enemy,  as  I  had 
before  supposed;  but,  that  the  Lord  was  in  reality 
calling  me  into  his  vineyard  to  labor.  I  would  here 
observe,  that  I  did  not  believe  at  that  time,  neither 
have  I  since,  that  I  was  in  a  natural  sleep.  This  will 
doubtless  seem  strange  to  many,  and  indeed  it  does 
to  me;  but  I  can  say,  that  I  had  never  entertained 
such  an  extensive  idea,  and  glorious  view,  of  heaven 
before.  Neither  did  I  ever  have  such  a  discovery  of 
the  horrors  of  the  damned,  or  of  the  torments  and 
self-reflections  of  lost  sinners. 

I  think  I  can  now  say,  with  David,  Psal.  Ixiii.  3 
and  17:  ''  Fori  was  envious  at  the  foolish,  when  I 
saw  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked;  until  I  went  into 
the  sanctuary  of  God;  then  understood  I  their  end." 


16  LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBT. 

Since  tlmt  time,  tlie  language  of  my  soul  has  been 
like  that  of  llie  poet: 

"  Pity  the  nations,  0  our  God, 
Constrain  llie  earth  to  come; 

Send  thy  victorious  arm  abroad, 
And  call  the  strangers  home." 

After  considering  the  vision,  and  the  situation  that  I 
myself  was  in,  while  stanthng  alone  on  the  spacious 
plain,  amidst  the  direful  storm  before  described;  it 
appeared  to  me,  that  (lod  had  by  this,  shewn  me  the 
shelterless  state  of  all  poor  sinners.  'J'hat  as  I  stood 
alone,  so  they  must  each  one  explore  the  dark  moun- 
tains of  deatli  alone;  and,  as  single  creatures,  stand  at 
the  dreadful  tribunal  of  tlie  Most  High;  and  after  be- 
ing dismissed,  with  hearing  the  heart  rending  sentence, 
'■•  Depart  ye  cursed  into  everlasting  fire  prepared  for 
the  devil  end  his  angels,"  they  must  forever,  and  ever, 
suffer  and  endure,  the  horrible  tempest  which  God 
shall  rain  upon  them.  See  Psal.  xi.  6 — "Upon  the 
wicked  he  shall  rain  snares,  fire  and  brimstone,  and  an 
horrible  tetnpest:  this  shall  be  the  portion  of  their 
cup."  And  Prov.  ix.  12 — "  If  thou  be  wise  thou 
shah  be  wise  for  thyself:  but  if  thou  scornest,  thou 
ALONE  shalt  bear  it." 

These  things  bore  with  solemn  weight  on  my  mind, 
from  day  to  day.  And  as  I  felt  the  weight  ol'  the 
cause  of  God,  and  worth  of  souls  increasing,  and  be- 
gan to  count  the  cost  of  being  a  laborer  in  the  vine- 
yard of  the  Lord;  1  found  that  such  must  forsake  fa- 
thers and  mothers,  brethren  and  sisters,  wives  and 
children,  houses  and  lands,  and  be  willing  to  lay  down 
their  lives  for  the  sake  of  Christ  and  his  gosepel,  or 
not  be  worthy  of  him.  These  things,  (or  the  most  of 
them)  were  so  dear  to  me,  that  it  was  like  giving  up 
my  life  to  leave  thc.m. 

However,  I  l)egan  to  feel  more  and  more  of  the 
reality  of  my  being  called  into  a  public    station^    and 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY  17 

to  have  striking  views  of  the  languishing  state  of  Sion; 
and  of  the  more  deplorable  state  of  poor  sinners. — 
And  when  I  beheld  the  greatness  of  the  harvest,  and 
how  few  tlie  faithful  laborers;  I  began  to  pray  the 
Lord  of  the  harvest,  to  send  forth  laborers.  But 
when  I  thus  prayed,  the  answer  was,  "•  Go  ye  into 
the  vineyard,"  &c.  About  the  first  sensible  impres- 
sion which  I  felt  on  my  mind,  to  preach  the  gospel, 
was,  that  I  must  go  through  the  southern  and  western 
climes;  and  in  particular,  that  I  must  visit  the  people 
in  the  State  of  Ohio.  But  the  thoughts  of  leaving  my 
native  land,  my  loving  friends,  and  other  dear  enjoy- 
ments; together  with  a  consideration  of  travelling  so 
great  a  journey,  into  a  strange  and  unknown  country, 
and  myself  but  a  child;  magnified  the  cross,  and  ren- 
dered the  trial  (as  I  thought)  almost  insurmountable. 
However,  I  pondered  these  things  in  my  heart;  for  as 
yet  I  had  not  divulged  them  to  any  person.  But  a- 
bout  this  time,  many  of  my  brethren  and  sisters  in  the 
Lord,  began  to  have  a  feeling  sense  of  the  weight  I 
felt  on  my  mind,  and  some  of  them  came  and  told  me 
it  was  revealed  to  them  that  the  Lord  was  calling  me 
to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  that  I  was  unwilling  to  go. 
To  this  I  made  them  no  answer;  but  acted  like  one 
amazed,  or  as  if  I  knew  not  what  it  meant,  for  Itho't 
I  would  almost  rather  die,  than  to  make  known  what  I 
felt  on  my  mind,  lest  I  should  be  deceived  or  bring  a 
reproach  upon  the  cause  of  God;  which  I  thought  1 
would  not  knowingly  do,  for  ten  thousand  worlds. — 
One  evening,  after  seriously  meditating  upon  these 
things,  and  realizing  my  accountability  to  God;  and 
considering  how  willing  I  ought  to  be  to  obey  him  in 
all  his  requirements,  I  fell  asleep;  and  dreamed  that  I 
was  in  a  meeting,  where  a  vast,  an  exceedin£:ly 
numerous  concourse  of  people  were  assembled. — 
Elder  Becwith,*  being  present,  was  much  engaged  in 

*A  preacher  who  lives  in  Billymead. 


18  LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLnY. 

preiiching  to  them.  But  on  a  sudden,  he  stopped, and 
stood  ill  profound  silence,  about  the  space  of  a  min- 
ute, lie  then  turned  about  and  looking  solemnly  up- 
on me,  said  "  John,  you  must  take  my  place."  'J  his 
struck  me  o  good  deal,  and  1  began  to  wonder  what 
he  could  mean  by  this  strange  salutation.  When  I  a- 
woke,  and  thought  on  my  dream,  I  was  sensible,  ac- 
cording to  the  im])ressions  I  had  felt  for  a  number  of 
months,  I  had  to  stand  in  a  public  lot,  receive  words 
at  the  liOrd's  mouth,  and  warn  the  people  from  him, 
or  the  blood  of  sinners  would  be  found  in  my  skirts. 
I  strove  in  my  little  measure,  from  time  to  time,  to 
tell  sinners  the  danger  ihey  were  in,  and  to  speak  com- 
fortably to  the  saints,  in  our  slated  meetings;  and  flat- 
tered myself  that  that  would  do  for  me,  and  thought  I 
niiglil  be  excused  from  travelling  abroad;  especially, 
when  I  considered  that  I  was  under  age,  and  must  of 
necessity  slay  at  home  t'll  I  was  twenty-one.  My 
two  older  brethren  being  of  age,  and  for  themselves; 
my  father  a  man  of  property,  and  a  great  deal  of  busi- 
ness on  hand;  and  1  being  at  that  time,  the  main  help 
which  he  had  left;  rendered  my  assistance  so  necessary 
to  him,  that  I  thought  it  put  the  matter  beyond  a  doubt 
that  it  was  my  duty  to  stay  with  him  till  I  was  twenty- 
one.  Upon  this  ground  1  began  to  settle,  but  found 
it  to  be  a  barren  land  indeed.  Yet  I  continued  in  this 
situation  till  I  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty.  And  al- 
though I  strove  to  live  a  solemn,  watchful  and  prayer- 
ful life,  1  found  that  my  mind  began  to  be  much  at- 
tached and  glued  to  the  things  o(  time  and  sense  — 
The  world,  with  all  its  cares,  began  to  crowd  into  my 
mind;  also,  its  riches,  honours,  beauties,  charms  and 
fashions,  in  all  their  pomp  and  splendour  were  pre- 
sented to  me.  And  it  seemed  as  if  the  devil  had 
power  over  me  to  take  me  up,  like  as  on  an  exceed- 
ing high  mountain,  and  shew  me  all  the  kingdoms  of 
the  world  and  the  glories  of  them;  and  then  promise 
to  give  them  all  to  me,  if  I  would  fall  down  and  wor- 


LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY.  19 

ship  him;  or,  in  other  words,  forsake  religion  and  go 
back  into  the  world  again.  But  the  thought  of  doing 
this,  was  worse  than  death  to  me.  I  now  began  to 
find  it  necessary  to  bestir  myself,  shake  ofl' sloth,  re- 
sist the  devil,  and  tread  the  world  beneath  my  feet. — * 
And  to  this  end  I  found  it  necessary  to  go  often  to  the 
throne  of  grace,  and  make  known  my  requests  to  the 
Lord.  And  can  say,  that  I  found  him  to  be  a  present 
help,  in  every  time  of  trouble. 

O  may  I  ever  give  thanks  to  the  Lord,  for  his  mer- 
ciful kindness  to  me  in  sparing  my  unprofitable  life  till 
now?  O  what  scenes  o(  trials,  temptations,  and  dan- 
gers, the  Lord  hath  led  me  thro'! 

0  for  a  thousand  tongues  to  sing, 
Mr  dear  Redeemer's  praise; 
The  glories  of  my  God  and  King, 
And  triumphs  of  his  grace! 

The  winter  after  I  was  twenty  in  December,  I  went 
to  school.  And  had  Christ  been  my  preceptor  or 
master.  I  should  doubtless  have  known  more  of  his 
love,  and  enjoyed  my  mind  bettel*  in  the  spring.  But 
1  found  my  studies  had  too  much  stolen  my  attention, 
and  kept  my  mind  from  better  enjoyments.  Yet  I 
felt  some  good  degree  of  the  love  of  God  in  my  heart, 
and  a  sense  of  the  worth  of  souls  in  my  mind. 

At  the  commencement  of  spring,  I  retired  from 
school,  and  returned  to  my  usual  labour  with  my  fa- 
ther; and  as  I  vvrought  with  him  in  the  field,  my  mind 
began  to  enter  more  extensively  into  the  field  of  the 
gospel.  And  upon  careful  examination  1  found  I  had 
been  limiting  the  Holy  One  of  Israel.  For,  while 
the  Lord  had  been  calling  me,  to  the  great  and  ardu- 
ous work  of  preaching  the  gospel,  I  had  been  saying, 
"Not  so  Lord;"  or,  in  other  words,  stop,  Lord,  till  I 
am  of  age:  "I  am  but  a  child,"  ^"C.  And  upon 
these  and  suchlike  trivial  excuses,  I  had  been  neglec- 


20  LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBY. 

ting  my  duty,  and  disobeying  the  voice  of  my  heaven- 
ly i'athi^r,  and  soul's  best  friend. 

A  sense  of  duty  now  began  to  revolve  upon  my 
mind,  with  double  weight;  while  the  world,  with  all 
its  affluence  and  grandeur,  seemed  to  recede  and  dis- 
appear. And  notwithstanding  my  mind  had  been 
formerly  much  after  the  riches  of  this  vain  world,  and 
the  prospect iiad  bid  fair  for  my  obtaining  it;  I  now 
had  a  full  discovery  of  the  emptiness  and  fading  nature 
of  all  transitory  enjoyments.  And  under  this  discove- 
ry was  made  to  cry  out,  in  the  language  o(  the  poet, 

Lord  what  a  wretched  land  is  this, 

That  yields  us  no  supply  ; 
No  cheering  fruits,  no  wholesome  tree, 

Nor  stream  of  living  joy. 

And  prayed  that  God  would  now  help  me  to  sign  a 
divorce  to  every  deceitful  enjoyment  of  this  alluring 
world.  For  I  now  beheld  through  the  eye  of  faith, 
the  glories  of  that  better,  fairer,  brighter  world  above. 

0  my  God!  shall  I  be  an  inhabitant  there,  to  see  as  I 
am  now  seen,  and  to  know  as  I  am  now  known? — 
but  alas!  I  yet  dwell  in  this  dreary  abode.  I  am  yet 
a  resident  on  the  earth;  and  have  a  great  work  to  do 
for  my  blessed  master.  And  how  can  I  live  and  be 
happy;  or  die  in  peace  if  I  do  not  perform  it?  Under 
this  consideration,  I  cried  out,  "Lord,  prepare  a  worm 
for  so  important  a  work,  which  I  see  1  must  do  or  be 
condemned  in  the  day  of  judgment."  I  now  felt  a 
greater  sense  of  my  accountability  to  (jod,  than  I  ever 
did  before.  Time  seemed  comparatively  like  a  bub- 
ble on  the  water.     And  I  said,    "O  how  quickly  shall 

1  see  the  Lord  himself  descend  from  heaven  with  a 
shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  the  trump 
of  God!  O  how  fast  the  day  approaches,  when  the 
Lord  will  be  revealed  from  heaven,  with  his  mighty 
angels,  in  flaming  fire,  taking  vengeance  on  them  that 
know  not  God!     And  when  in  my  meditation  1  look- 


LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLBY.  21 

ed  again,  I  saw  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  of 
thoughtless  souls,  with  the  greatest  rapidity  approach- 
ing eternity's  awful  brink!  O  eternity!  vast  eternity! 
what  heart  can  conceive,  what  tongue  can  express  the 
duration  of  it!  And  yet  Christless  souls  will  venture 
on  its  dreadful  brink,  unapprehensive  of  danger!  These 
alarming  considerations  began  to  call  up  my  attention 
more  and  more;  and  I  strove  to  improve  every  op- 
portunity of  conversing  with  the  unconverted  on  the 
subject  of  religion;  especially  those  of  my  compan- 
ions. I  also  felt  it  my  duty,  and  esteemed  it  a  privi- 
lege, to  exhort  in  public  meetings;  and  sometimes  I 
had  particular  passages  of  scripture  impressed  on  my 
mind  to  explain.  But  the  cross  was  so  great  that  I 
generally  neglected  it.  For  I  thought  if  I  proceeded 
in  that  way  the  people  would  soon  begin  to  say 
'■'John  Colby  is  setting  out  to  be  a  preacher,^'  And 
that  was  a  sound  I  did  not  love  to  hear.  Not  because 
I  was  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  but  because  of 
my  weakness  and  unworthiness  of  preaching  it.  For 
I  viewed  it  to  be  a  great  and  solemn  thing  to  be  mouth 
for  God,  and  stand  between  the  living  and  dead,  or  to 
have  the  care  of  souls  entrusted  witli  me.  And  yet 
I  was  loth  to  see  souls  perish,  with  a  Snviour  in  their 
view;  and  wade  through  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the 
gate  of  heaven  down  to  darkness  and  long  despair. 
Thus  was  my  soul  pressed,  like  a  cart  filled  with 
sheaves,  under  a  solemn  sense  of  these  important 
things,  till  at  length  it  became  my  whole  study,  day 
and  night,  asleep  or  awake;  and  when  I  was  in  the 
field,  i  scarce  knew  what  I  was  doing,  or  how  the 
time  passed  away.  A  dismal  gloom  seemed  again  to 
overspread  all  nature,  and  if  possible,  to  a  greaier 
degree  than  what  I  had  experienced,  when  I  was  und^r 
conviction  for  my  sins.  Every  enjoyment  of  life 
looked  like  nothing  and  vanity;  and  gold  and  silver  as 
mean  as  dust,  l.ife  itself,  seemed  almost  burdensome. 
My  appetite  failed — 


LITE    OF    JOHN    COLBr. 

"My  daily  bread  like  ashes  grew 
Unpleasant  to  my  taste." 

Oft  times  when  I  returned  from  my  lobour  in  the  field, 
I  could  eat  nothing.  My  indulgent  motiier  often  in- 
quired the  occasion  of  my  not  eating,  and  notwithstand- 
ing I  knew,  I  was  unwilling  to  tell  her.  She  some- 
times told  me  that  I  looked  sick  or  as  one  in  a  con- 
sumption. And  indeed  1  viewed  myself,  and  was 
looked  upon  by  others,  during  that  summer,  as  one 
swiltly  approaching  the  grave.  I  chose  to  spend  all 
my  leisure  hours  in  secret  prayer,  in  some  solitary 
place;  especially  early  in  the  mornings,  and  late  in  the 
evenings.  The  most  lonley  places  seemed  the  most 
delightful  to  me.  1  took  but  little  satisfaction  in  the 
company  of  my  dearest  friends.  I  felt  like  one  alone; 
and  the  language  of  my  heart  was  like  that  of  the 
Prophet,  "O  that  I  had  in  the  wilderness  a  lodging 
place  of  wayfaring  men."  And  at  other  times,  "Oh! 
that  mine  head  were  waters,  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain 
of  tears,  that  I  might  weep  day  and  night,  for  the 
slain  of  the  daughters  of  my  people." 

The  whole  earth,  with  all  its  inhabitants,  seemed 
to  roll  up  before  me;  particularly  the  young  peo{)le, 
and  those  of  my  class.  And  oh!  how  inexpressibly 
painful  was  the  sight!  To  see  hundreds  and  thou- 
sands of^blooming  youths  spending  their  golden  mo- 
ments in  parties,  pleasures,  and  pastimes;  frolicking 
and  dancing  over  a  burning  lake!  Oh!  what  stupen- 
dous folly,  thought  I,  must  they  be  guilty  of,  who 
choose  sin's  short  and  momentary  jileasures,  at  the 
dear  expense  of  suffering  the  vengeance  of  eternal 
fire!  Sometimes,  when  I  realized  the  sad  condition 
the  world  of  mankind  was  in,  I  asked  myself  the  ques- 
tion, "Should  I  not  be  willing  to  wander  to  and  fro 
all  my  days,  if  I  were  sure  that  I  could  be  instrumen- 
tal in  the  salvation  of  one  soul?"  And  I  thought  I 
should,  if  I  died  in  the  service.     But  at  other  times, 


LIFE  OP    JOHN    COLBT.  23 

unbelief,  or  a  sense  of  my  weakness,  constrained  me 
to  say,  "Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?" 

While  I  thus  pondered  upon  my  duty  to  God  and 
his  people,  and  sought  to  know  how  I  should  best  glo- 
rify him,  promote  his  cause  in  the  world  and  discharge 
the  important  duty  which  I  felt  incumbent  on  me,  I 
happened  to  light  on  the  following  hymn:— 

I  hear  the  gospel's  joyful  sound, 

An  organ  I  shall  be, 
To  sound  aloud  redeeming  love, 

And  sinners'  misery. 

My  honored  parents,  fare  you  well, 

My  Jesus  doth  me  call ; 
I  leave  you  here  with  God,  until 

I  meet  you  once  for  all. 

My  dear  connexions  I'll  forsake, 

My  parents  and  their  house  ; 
And  to  the  wilderness  betake, 

To  pay  the  Lord  my  vows. 

And  I'll  forsake  my  chiefest  mates, 

That  nature  can  afford  ; 
And  wear  the  shield  into  the  field, 

To  wait  upon  the  Lord. 

Then  through  the  wilderness  I'll  run, 

Preaching  the  gospel  free  ; 
0  be  not  anxious  for  your  son, 

The  Lord  will  comfort  me. 

And  if  through  preaching  I  should  gain 

True  subjects  to  my  Lord, 
'Twill  more  than  recompense  my  paifl, 

To  see  them  love  his  word. 


24  LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

My  soul  doth  wish  Mount  Zion  well, 

Whate'er  becomes  of  me ; 
There  my  best  friends  aad  kindred  dwell, 

And  there  I  long  to  be. 

This  hymn  most  beautifully  expressed  the  feelings  of 
my  heart  in  general,  and  the  last  verse  in  a  particular 
manner.  For  I  felt  as  though  I  wanted  every  one 
else  to  bo  happy,  if  I  was  miserable  myself.  And 
fervently  wished  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  which  I  view- 
ed as  coming  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  suffering 
the  vile  aspersions  and  persecutions  of  a  wicked  and 
gainsaying  world. 

I  frequently  retired  into  solitary  places;  and  with  a 
degree  of  delight,  mingled  with  flowing  tears,  repeat- 
ed the  hymn. 

The  foregoing  account,  which  I  have  given  of  my 
particular  trials,  under  the  divine  impressions  of  the 
spirit  of  the  Lord,  is  but  a  little  part  of  what  I  really 
passed  through;  for  time  would  fail  me  to  point  out 
every  particular  exercise  of  my  mind,  while  under 
those  impressions,  to  preach  the  gospel.  And  not- 
withstanding I  strove  to  bear  a  public  testimony  for 
the  Lord,  and  to  tell  poor  unconverted  sinners  the 
danger  they  were  in,  and  exposed  to;  yet  I  took  but 
little  satisfaction  therein.  For  several  months,  I  gen- 
erally felt  worse  when  I  returned  from  meeting  than 
when  I  went.  And  I  am  convinced  that  the  reason 
of  this  was,  because  the  Lord  was  calling  me  to  gf) 
and  preach  the  gospel  to  other  cities,  and  i  was  diso- 
bedient to  his  call ;  and  therefore  could  not  be  happy 
in  disobedience.  I  continued  in  this  situation  until 
December,  1808  ;  at  which  time  I  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age. 

At  this  time,  again,  I  felt  the  impression  renewed, 
to  arise,  and  go  to  the  state  of  Ohio,  and  to  cry  against 
it  ;  and  it  seemed  as  if  the  Lord  said,  "  their  wick- 
edness is  come  up  before  me."     But   like    Jonah,    I 


LIFE   OF    JOHN    COLBT.  25 

fled  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  ;  not  to  Tarshish 
but  to  Peacham,  and  went  to  the  Academy,  where 
1  spent  the  winter.  And  the  spring  following  the 
Lord  sent  out,  not  a  great  tempest  upon  the  waters^ 
but  a  great  sickness  among  the  people.  Men's  hearts 
were  almost  broken,  to  see  their  relations  on  every 
hand  dying  ;  great  fear  came  upon  them,  and,  like 
the  ancient  mariners,  every  man  cried  unto  his  God, 
that  he  would  stay  his  judgemenls,  and  lighten  their 
souls  of  them.  But  alas  !  I  was  gone  down,  not  into 
the  sides  of  the  ship,  but  had  my  mind  so  engaged  and 
amused  with  literature,  that  I  was  fallen  into  a  spirit- 
ual sleep  !  and  it  seemed  as  if  the  destroying 
angel  came  to  me  and  said  "  what  meanest  thou,  O 
sleeper  !  Arise,  and  go  into  the  v.-ork  of  God,  or  thou 
shalt  surely  perish  !"  For  I  took  the  contagion,  and 
was  sick,  as  I  supposed,  of  the  fever.  Then  I  pray- 
ed unto  the  Lord  God  out  of  the  midst  of  my  afflic- 
tion; and  he  heard  the  voice  of  my  supplication,  re- 
moved the  disease,  and  withheld  his  afflicting  hand. — 
I  returned  to  Billymead,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord 
came  unto  me  again  saying,  ''  go  unto  Ohio,  that 
great  country,  and  preach  in  it  the  preaching  I  bid 
thee."  But,  instead  of  going  to  Ohio,  I  went  to  work 
to  finish  a  gristmill,  which  I  had  begun  the  fall  before; 
and  by  the  time  I  had  completed  that,  and  had  got  it 
agoing,  I  felt  like  one  cast  down  into  the  deep,  the 
earth,  with  its  bars  about  him;  or  like  one  grinding 
in  a  prison  house;  or  as  one  confined  between  two 
keepers,  (unbelief  and  disobedience;)  one  on  either 
hand.  Tliese  two  soldiers  or  servants  of  the  enemy, 
kept  me  close  till  the  third  day  of  June,  1809.  On 
this  day,  I  met  with  my  brethren  *in  conference. — 
When  1  left  home  1  had  not  the  least  thought  of  re- 
vealing my  mind;  for  I  had  so  long  been  sinking  un- 
der trials  which  I  had  brought  upon  myself  by  disobe- 
dience, that  I  never  expected  to  rise  alDove  them;  and 
often  thought,  like  Jonah,  that  it  was  even  better  for 


26  LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBY. 

me  to  die  than  to  live.  Init  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  be- 
ing wonderfully  manifest  in  our  meetlne;.,  I  felt  imme- 
diately arraigned  in  my  own  mind  to  make  public  what 
I  had  so  long  concealed;  for  as  yet  I  had  not  revealed 
my  mind  to  any  person.  And  1  think  it  v.as  the  great- 
est cross  1  had  ever  taken  up.  It  appeared  to  me  as 
if  life  "and  death  were  set  before  me  and  I  could  have 
my  choice,  and  must  choose  then. 

Lnder  this  discovery  1  mentally  looked  to  the  Lord 
and  said,  "  They  that  observe  lying  vanities,  forsake 
their  own  mercies;  but  I  will  sacrifice  unto  thee  with 
the  voice  of  thanksgiving;  I  will  pay  that  that  I  have 
vowed ;  salvation  is  of  the  Lord. "  I  then  had  strength 
given  me  to  open  my  mouth,  and  in  presence  of  (Jod 
and  the  Church  to  declare  the  travel  of  my  mind. — 
Truly,  it  was  a  solemn,  weeping  time,  both  with  my- 
self and  the  brethren.  When  I  had  done  speaking, 
the  brethren  and  sisters,  with  one  accord,  declared 
that  they  were  satisfied  that  the  Lord,  of  a  truth,  had 
called  me  to  be  an  ambassador  for  Christ,  to  preach 
the  everlasting  gospel;  and  as  such  they  recommend- 
ed me. 

1  fblt  immediately  as  if  I  was  in  a  new  world;  the 
gloom  which  had  so  long  overspread  the  universe,  was 
all  scattered;  the  intervening  clouds  withdrew;  and 
my  soul  leaped  into  liberty  !  Ihe  next  day,  being 
Sabbath,  I  arose  early  in  the  morning,  and  walked  in- 
to the  field.  Every  thing  looked  delightsome;  every 
vegetable,  with  all  the  feathered  songsters,  seemed  to 
be  praising  God;  and  I  thought  I  could  add  my  note 
with  the  rest.  When  the  bright  luminary  of  the  day 
appeared,  with  his  ten  thousand  dazzling  rays  of  light 
darting  through  the  world,  shining  on  tiie  evil  and  on 
the  good,  he  seemed  to  magnify  his  great  Creator.  I 
really  thought,  I  never  saw  the  sun  shine  with  such 
refulgency  before.  While  gazing  on  his  golden  rays, 
I  said,  O  how  willing  is  the  sun  to  perform  his  office 
and  fill  his  place!  how  ready  to  obey  the  will   of  bis 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  27 

great  Creator!  This  was  to  me  like  the  beginning  of 
days,  or  the  day  of  my  espousal.  The  change  ap- 
peared as  great,  or  greater,  if  possible,  than  when  I 
was  first  brought  out  of  nature's  darkness,  into  God's 
marvellous  light.  At  a  seasonable  hour  I  proceeded 
to  the  meeting,  and  found  a  multitude  had  come  to- 
gether (as  I  supposed,)  to  hear  the  new  preacher  ! — 
But  no  one  can  tell  how  little  and  insuflicient  I  looked 
upon  myself!  I  thought  I  could  really  say,  I  was  less 
than  the  least  of  all  saints.  Tlie  brethren  put  it  upon 
me  to  preach;  and  I  felt  it  from  the  Lord  to  be  my 
duty  to  try.  I  spake  from  Isaiah  xl.  6,  7,  8,  words 
which  had  been  running  in  my  mind  the  preceding 
week;  (occasioned,  probably,  by  means  of  my  at- 
tending a  funeral  in  the  neighborhood;  and  also  the 
wedding  of  one  of  my  brothers.)  1  preached  as  well 
as  I  could;  the^Lord  knows  best  what  I  said;  I  be- 
lieve, however,  it  was  a  solemn  time. 

When  I  recollect  the  many  internal  calls  and  im- 
pressions I  have  had  from  God  to  preach  the  gospel, 
1  am  astonished  that  there  are  so  many  in  the  world, 
who  think  that  a  college  education,  with  a  town  or  par- 
ish call,  are  sufficient  to  qualify  a  man  to  preach  the 
gospel  of  Christ  !  O  mistaken,  deluded  souls  !  who 
think  tliat  the  gospel  consists  in  the  wisdo  n  of  men, 
and  not  in  the  power  of  God.  But  happy  is  that  ser- 
vant, whose  preaching  (like  Paul's)  is  not  with  enti- 
cing words  of  men's  wisdom;  but  in  demonstration 
of  the  Spirit  and  of  power. 

From  this  fourth  day  of  June,  every  thing  unlike  to 
God,  began  to  sink  in  my  view;  and  my  mind  began 
to  rise.  I  practised  preaching  every  first  day  of  the 
week,  at  Biliymead,  or  in  one  of  the  adjacent  towns; 
1  also  attended  some  meetings  on  other  days.  In  the 
intervals,  I  labored  with  my  hands;  and  with  my  earn- 
ings, I  purchased  me  a  horse,  saddle  and  bridle,  &c. 
On  the  6th  day  of  August,  being  tlie  first  day  of  the 
week,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  Biliymead.     In  the  fore- 


Zb  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COI.EY. 

noon,  I  tii.-^d  to  prearli  fi-om  2d  'i'imotliy,  clinptcr  iv: 
7tli  nnd  8ih  vers^es,  "1  have  fnnalit  a  good  figlit,  1  have 
finishod  my  coiirso,  I  have  kept  die  ("aidi:  hencefonh 
there  is  laid  up  lor  nieanown  of  righteousness,  \vhi(  h 
the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  shaH  give  nie  at  liiat 
day;  and  not  to  me  only,  but  unio  all  diem  also  that 
love  his  appearing."  I  enjoyed  but  litile  libi  riy  in 
speaking,  and  fell  much  dissatisfied  in  my  own  mind. 
Ihis  threw  me  inlo  a  trial.  It  seemed  to  me  that  ev- 
ery body  thought  1  was  out  of  my  lot.  1  begr.ii  to 
call  my  faiUi  in  question,  to  doubt  the  reality  of  my 
call,  and  I  feared  I  was  deceiving  myselfaiid  my  breih- 
ren.  Under  considerations  like  these,  1  went  to  the 
Lord  in  prayer,  and  continued  in  that  exercise  through 
the  intermission.  7  he  substance  of  my  petition  was, 
that  if  he  had  called  me  to  preach  his  word,  he  would 
manifest  it,  and  stand  by  me  in  the  afternoon,  that  I 
might  have  liberty,  and  enjoy  the  life  and  power  of  re- 
ligion in  my  soul,  '^l  he  afternoon  meeting  began,  and 
after  singing  and  prayer,  the  brethren  sat,  and  appear- 
ed waitini:;,  as  if  they  were  expecting  me  to  pteach. 
But  I  felt  determined  not  tcj  attempt  it,  unless  I  felt 
something  special.  After  sitting  silent  for  some  time, 
and  mentally  praying  that  the  Lord  would  decide  the 
doubtful  case  that  afternoon,  that  is,  whether  he  had 
called  me  to  preach  or  not;  and  if  1  had  run  befoie  I 
was  sent  of  God,  that  he  would  confound  me  before 
the  people  if  I  attempted  to  speak  in  his  name.  I 
felt  some  impression,  and  thought  it  my  duty  to  arise 
and  speak  from  litus  ii,  11;  "  For  the  Grace  of  iiod 
that  bringeth  salvation,  hith  appeared  to  all  men." — 
I  repeated  these  uords  as  the  foundation  of  a  discourse, 
and  after  speaking  a  few  minutes,  I  quoted  several  pas- 
sages by  way  of  introduction,  and  attempted  to  re- 
turn to  my  text,  but  behold  it  was  gone  !  I  had  for- 
gc/tten  it;  and  had  no  bible  with  me  to  find  it;  lor  1 
had  never  obtained  confidence  enough  to  hold  a  bible 
in  my  heaid   while  I  was  speaking.     1  then  began    to 


LIFE   OF  JOHN    COLBY.  29 

coiiclLule,  that  the  Lord  was  about  to  answer  my  prayer 
sure  enough,  and  chain  up  my  mouth  in  silence.  It 
seemed  as  if  the  enemy  surrounded  me  wiih  all  his 
forces;  my  mind  was  immediately  thrown  into  con- 
fusion, and  almost  into  distraction.  I  ceased  speak- 
ing and  sat  down  without  telling  the  audience  the  oc- 
casion of  it.  No  one  can  tell,  neither  can  I  express  how 
I  then  felt.  What  made  me  feel  the  worse,  was,  there 
were  two  judges  present  who  were  occasionally  in  the 
town;  they  loomed  up  before  me  like  mountains  ! — 
When  the  meeting  ended  I  withdrew  from  the  house 
and  returned  home.  I  strove  as  much  as  possible  to 
shun  all  company,  for  I  neither  wanted  to  speak  with 
or  see  any  person.  After  I  got  home,  my  failier  ask- 
ed me  the  occasion  of  my  not  finishing  my  sermon; 
fo.-,  said  he,  I  thought  you  had  laid  your  work  out 
very  well.  I  made  him  little  or  no  answer,  but  left 
the  house  and  retired  to  the  woods,  with  a  strong 
templation  never  to  return  again.  For  I  thought  I  had 
rather  be  banished,  or  buried  under  the  base  of  the 
most  huge  mountain,  than  ever  be  seen  again  upon 
earth.  1  travelled  a  mile  or  two,  till  I  came  to  a  riv- 
er, where  I  stood  and  looked  into  the  water  for  some 
time;  and  thought  it  would  be  a  good  time  to  put  an 
end  to  my  life.  But  the  following  words  immediately 
occurred  to  my  mind,  "  no  murderer  hath  eternal  life 
abiding  in  him."  I  obtained  strength  from  the  Lord 
to  withdraw  from  the  river.  My  next  conclusion  was. 
to  slay  in  the  woods  till  I  died.  I  continued  wander- 
ing about  till  near  dark;  and  after  looking  the  matter 
over  and  over,  and  putting  up  many  prayers  to  God,  I 
felt  some  more  composed  in  my  mind;  and  conclu- 
ded that  it  might  be  possible  that  I  had  done  wrong, 
and  had  tempted  the  Lord  by  a.=king  of  him  a  sijin. 

After  many    solitary  hours  in    prayers  and    tears,  I 

mustered  all  the   resolution,    faith  and  hope  I    could, 

and  returned  home.     But  as  to  my  preaching  again,  I 

concluded    the  matter  was    decided.      Yet  there    was 

*3 


30  LIFE    OF    JOHN   COLBY. 

one  difficulty  in  the  way,  which  I  knew  not  how  to 
surmount.  I  hr.d  a  meetinir  appoiiiled  in  another  town 
the  next,  l^ahbath,  which  i  must  of  necessity  attend, 
or  forfeit  my  word;  and  that  I  could  not  bear  to  do. 
I  passed  the  week  in  deep  waters,  till  the  Sabbath 
came.  I  went  on  to  niy  appointment  but  felt  an  un- 
usual gloom  and  a  great  defjression  of  spiiit.  I  tho't 
I  would  tell  the  })eople  i  was  not  called  to  preach, 
and  that  I  should  never  try  to  again.  .After  the  peo- 
ple assembled  I  began  to  look  round  upon  them,  and 
souls  began  to  look  precious;  and  almost  before  I  was 
aware  1  arose  upon  my  leet  and  began  to  preach  to 
thetn.  The  love  and  power  of  God  was  manifested 
in  a  blessed  manner.  From  this  I  took  encourage- 
ment to  resist  the  tempter;  he  fled  from  me;  and  my 
mind,  in  a  g(.od  measure  was  relieved,  ^'o  1  contin- 
ued as  usual  in  my  leeble  manner  to  blow  the  trumpet 
in  Zion. 

About  this  time  a  general  solemnity  began  to  gath- 
er on  the  minds  of  the  people;  and  there  seemed  to 
be  a  sound  of  abundance  of  rain;  while  a  few  mercy 
drops  fell.  But  the  main  cloud  of  blessing  passed 
over,  and  did  not  return  till  about  twelve  months  af- 
terwards. 

I  now  began  to  be  convinced  by  my  feelings,  that 
my  work  was  done  for  the  present  in  that  region,  and 
that  I  must  go  and  preach  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom 
to  other  cities  also.  Trying  as  it  was  to  my  nature  ; 
being  convmced  that  the  time  was  come  when  I  must 
leave  all  my  natural  friends,  and  journey  into  the  wes- 
tern climes;  I  began  to  talk  about  it  in  earnest,  and  to 
make  preparations  for  the  journey.  Yet  I  could  not 
persuade  my  friends  to  be  reconciled  to  it,  nor  yet  to 
believe  that  I  should  go,  until  a  day  or  two  before  I 
sat  out.  They  all  prophesied  evil  concerning  me; 
they  said  it  must  be  a  delusion  of  the  enemy.  For  if 
I  was  called  to  preach,  I  could  as  well  preach  in  my 
native  land  as  any  where  else;  and,  they  thought,  much 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  31 

better.  Besides,  they  conjectured  for  me  to  travel 
so  far  into  a  different  climate  must  be  very  prejudi- 
cial to  my  health,  even  if  I  lived;  but  they  thought 
most  likely  that  I  should  die,  and  lay  my  bones  in  one 
ol  those  western  climes.  I  told  them  that  Ninevah 
was  the  place  where  God  sent  Jonah;  and  the  west- 
ern country  was  the  place  where  he  was  about  to  send 
me;  and  if  f  did  not  go,  the  sea  would  be  more  bois- 
terous than  ever  it  had  been. 

»*abbath,  12ih  of  A'^ovember,  I  preached  my  fare- 
well sermon  in  Billymead,  and  truly,  it  was  with  the 
assembly,  as  well  as  with  myself,  a  solemn,  weeping 
time.  Thus  I  closed  my  testimony  in  the  town  for 
that  time — Xov.  14,  1S09,  I  sat  out  on  my  journey. 
But  O!  I  cannot  express  the  feelings  of  my  heart, 
whilst  giving  the  parting  hand,  and  leaving  my  ever 
respected  parents  behind;  thinking  it  very  unlikely 
that  I  should  ever  see  them  again  beneath  the  sun. 
My  beloved  brothers  and  sisters  T  must  also  leave, 
though  dear  to  me.  The  friendly  visits,  the  inesti- 
mable privileges  we  have  enjoyed  together,  thought 
I,  must  now  be  at  an  end.  And  I  said,  "O,  must  I 
now  leave,  must  I  now  be  separated  from  all  my  na- 
tural connexions  in  life?  Yes,  I  am  constrained  so  to 
do;  the  worth  of  souls  lays  upon  me,  I  cannot  rest. 
I  must  bid  farewell  to  my  kind  parents  and  their  home; 
take  my  life  into  my  hand,  and  go  forth  into  the  wil- 
derness woild  and  pay  the  Lord  my  vows." 

When  I  gave  the  parting  hand  to  my  honored  fa- 
ther, and  he  saw  that  I  was  going  in  reality,  his  lan- 
guage to  me  was  like  that  of  Jacob  to  his  sons;  he  said, 
"well,  if  you  must  go;  God  Almighty  go  with  you." 
I  left  the  house  and  hastened  to  the  door,  that  I  might 
find  a  place  to  weep;  and  then  mounted  my  horse 
and  sat  out  on  my  journey.  As  I  passed  through  the 
street  I  secretly  said. 

Farewell!  farewell!  farewell,  ye  northern  climes! 
To  southern  or  western  climes  I  now  repair; 
To  unknown  lands  I  know  not  where. 


/ 


32  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY 

I  Stayed  tliat  night  with  Judge  Fiske,  in  Lyndon. 
Next  morning  I  started  for  Woodstock,  (Vt  );  but 
on  account  of  its  being  stormy  and  uncomfortable 
weather,  I  travelled  but  a  few  miles  in  a  day.  1  how- 
ever the  next  Sabbath,  got  to  Hartford,  and  attended 
a  meeting  in  the  evening.  Monday  1  crossed  JVhite 
River,  and  attended  a  funeral  in  the  other  part  of  the 
town;  iiad  a  very  solemn  time.  After  meeting  f  went 
down  to  Woodstock,  where  I  had  previously  agreed 
to  meet  brother  l^utnam,  a  young  preacher  who  had 
promised  to  travel  with  me  into  the  western  country. 
JJut  when  I  came  to  the  place,  I  found  he  had  gone 
on  to  Windsor.  T  tlieri  pursued  and  overtook  him 
and  felt  exceedingly  joyful  at  meeting  my  beloved 
brother;  a  man  whom  l  had  highly  esteemed;  and 
with  whom  I  had  enjoyed  many  happy  liouis  in  lue 
worship  of  God.  I  anticipated  we  should  have  a  great 
deal  of  Happiness  together,  on  our  contemplated  long 
journey.  But  alas!  my  anticipated  happiness  was  soon 
blasted.  We  attended  meeting  that  evening  at  Wind- 
sor, and  the  lot  fi.'ll  on  me  to  preach.  I  was  led  to 
direct  my  discourse  chiefly  to  the  young  people. 
The  hearers  of  all  classes  appeared  solemn,  and  heard 
the  word  with  candour.  I  continued  in  that  place 
through  the  week,  attended  three  meetings  in  Wind- 
sor; two  in  Hartland;  visited  a  number  of  families, 
and  received  great  satisfaction  therein.  On  the  sab- 
bath, we  attended  at  Windsor.  Brother  P.  preached 
in  the  forenoon;  and  1  discovered  something  in  his 
preaching,  which  gave  me  very  disagreeable  leelings, 
although  I  believed  him  to  be  sincere  in  what  he  preach- 
ed. The  particular  sentiment,  he  advanced  was,  that 
the  wicked  would  be  burned  up,  and  cease  to  exist, 
at,  or  immediately  after  the  day  of  judgement.  This 
appeared  so  different  from  whai  1  had  read  in  the 
scriptures  respecting  the  eternal  state  of  the  wicked, 
namely,  that  such  are  in  danger  of  e/crncr?  damnation, 
Mark  lii,  29; — that  "these  shall  go  awy  into  everlast- 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  33 

ins;  punishment,"  Matt.  xxv.  4G; — that  "their  wornn 
dieth  not  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched,"  JMark  ix.  44, 
46,  and  48; — "suffering  the  vengeance  of  eternal  fire," 
Jude  7th  verse — that  "the  smoke  of  their  torment  as- 
cendelh  up  forever  and  evcr,^^  Rev.  xiv.   11 — I'hese, 
wiih  many  other  passages  which   occurred  to    my  re- 
collection, forbade  my  uniting  with  my  brother    P.  in 
the  support  of  his  new  and    inconsistent   doctrine.     I 
there!ore  preached  in  the  afternoon    from   Prov.    12, 
"If  thou  be  wise,  thou  shalt   be  wise    lor    thyself;  but 
if  ihou  scornest,  thou  alone  shalt  bear  it."     1  told  the 
wicked,  if  they  were  so  senseless  of  their  ow'n  happi- 
n^s",    and    of     their    duty    to   their     Maker,    as    to 
live    in   sin,    wickedness  and   folly,     in    this   world; 
they    might   expect   condemnation,    horror   and    suf- 
fering would  be  intolerable  in  the  next.     In    the  eve- 
ning, I  atlended-a  meeting  in  another  partof  the  town. 
Monday,  Nov.  27th,  I  left  Windsor,  went  to  Weath- 
ersfield,  and  attended  a  meeting   with   brother  P.     In 
the  evening,  a  goodly  number  came  out  and  heard  at- 
tentively.    The  next  day  we  went  to  Springfield  (Vt), 
met   two   Elders,    one     resided    in     the    place,    the 
other  w'fis  from  New^-liampshire.     And  as  brother  P. 
had  pretty  much  given  up  the  idea  of  going  on  to  the 
western  country  with  me,  the  two  Elders,  before  men- 
tioned, <^ave  it  as  their  opinion,    that  it  would  be    for 
the  honor  and  glory  of  God,  and  greatly  to  my  advan- 
ttJge,  Es  I  was  going  so    long  a  journey    alone,    to  be 
ordained  before  I  proceeded  any  further.     They    al- 
so said,  they  believed  it  their  duty,  from  the  Lord,  to 
separate  me  to  the   work,    whereunto    the    Lord    had 
called  me.     I  had  great  trials    on  my   mind    with  re- 
spect to  the  matter.     And    at    first    objected    against 
their  proposal,  lor  three  reasons.      1.  iiecause   1  was 
absent  from  home.     2.  I    was   afraid  of  running    too 
f.)st.      o.   1  was  too  young.     'J  hey  took  up    these  ob- 
jections, and  concluded  that  neither  of  them    ought  to 
bear  with  any  weight,     'ihey  considered  me    to  be  in 


34  LIFE    OF  JOHN   COLEY. 

the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  let  me  be  where  I  would; 
and  that  the  church  of  Christ  was  one,  or  ought  to  be 
so;  and  of  course,  it  mattered  not  where  I  was  ordain- 
ed. They  therefore  desired  me  not  to  desist,  nor  be 
baffled  by  the  enemy.  They  therefore  appointed  a 
meeting,  for  the  purpose  of  performing  what  they 
thought  was  enjoined  on  them  to  do.  1  then  retired 
to  a  grove  where  I  spent  many  hours  in  prayer  and 
meditation.  I  then  gave  the  matter  up  and  submitted 
myself  to  the  Lord.  I  concluded  if  1  lived  to  return 
home  to  ilillymead,  I  could  lay  it  before  the  church, 
and  if  they  approved  of  the  ordination,  it  would  be 
well;  if  not,  if  they  were  disposed,  they  could  lay 
hands  on  me  a  second  time.  [This  I  did  at  my  re- 
turn, and  the  church  approved  of  my  ordination.] 
The  elders  proceeded  in  my  ordination,  according  to 
the  example  given  in  the  Aevv  Testament;  set  me 
apart  to  travel,  and  j)reach  the  gospel  of  our  Lord 
and  Savior  Jesus  Christ,  and  administer  gospel  ordi- 
nances, wherever  God,  in  his  j)rovidence  should  call 
me.  They  also  gave  me  a  certificate  of  my  ordina- 
tion, and  a  written  recommendation.  These,  togeth- 
er with  what  1  received  from  the  church  to  which  I 
belonged,  I  found  beneficial  in  a  strange  land;  but  not 
so  much  so  as  that  which  I  had  received  of  the  bles- 
sed Jesus.  For  I  trust  I  can  say  the  gospel  which  1 
preach  I  did  not  receive  oi  men;  neither  was  I  taught 
it  but  by  the  revelation  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  My 
ordination  was  performed  on  the  30ih  day  of  Novem- 
ber, A.  D.  1809;  a  little  before  I  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  God  grant  that  I  may  ever  be  humble, 
do  good  in  my  day;  and  never  outlive  my  usefulness; 
lor  his  great  name  sake.     Amen. 

I  continued  at  Springfield  the  residue  of  the  week; 
and  spent  the  titne  in  visiting  from  \)hce  to  place,  and 
attended  a  few  meetings.  Sabbath  day,  I  met  with 
the  elders  and  brethren  at  a  school-house;  nothing  spe- 
cial took  place.     In  the  evening,  we  met  at  a    private 


LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBY.  35 

house;  and  while  the  people  were  gathering,  I  felt  an 
uncommon  solemnity  resting  on  my  mind.  I  arose 
and  began  to  speak;  and  my  mind  seemed  to  be  led  to 
address  myself  to  a  couple  of  proud  youths,  who  sat 
near  to  me.  I  described  their  characters,  and  gave 
them  a  solemn  warning  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 
It  was  said  by  those  who  knew  them,  that  I  pointed 
them  out  exactly,  although  I  had  never  seen  them  be- 
fore. Towards  the  close  of  the  meeting,  one  of  them 
started  to  go  home,  and  as  she  passed  by  me!  I  spake 
to  her  and  said,  "young  woman'  without  speedy  re- 
pentance, I  beheve  death  is  about  to  make  you  a  vis- 
it." She  went  to  the  door,  and  made  several  attempts 
to  go  home;  but  the  spirit  of  God  followed  her.  She 
also  went  as  far  as  the  road  several  times,  and  then  re- 
turned, (as  she  afterwards  informed  me.)  At  length 
she  came  into  the  house  again;  and  notwithstanding 
her  pride  she  fell  on  her  knees  and  cried  to  God  for 
mercy,  and  desired  the  saints  to  pray  for  her.  The 
next  morning  I  calculated  to  leave  the  place.  Broth- 
er P.  started  on  a  little  first,  and  I  sat  out  to  follow  him; 
but  my  mind  seemed  to  be  led  directly  the  opposite 
way.  I  turned  about,  and  went  back  three  miles, 
and  when  he  saw  that  I  did  not  follow  him,  he  re 
turned  too.  I  visited  several  families,  and  had  a  ve- 
ry solemn  season.  In  the  evening,  we  met  in  the  same 
neighborhood  we  met  in  the  night  before;  and  the  glo- 
ry and  power  of  the  Lord  was  wonderfully  displayed. 
The  young  woman  before  mentioned  was  brought  into 
the  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God,  and  publicly  praised 
the  Lord  in  a  most  wonderful  manner.  Several  back- 
sliders returned  to  their  Father's  house,  and  convic- 
tion got  hold  of  the  minds  of  a  number  of  those  who 
had  been  careless.  The  next  day,  I  attended  meeting 
with  the  other  elders.  ,A  goodly  number  collected, 
and  one  was  baptized.  Wednesday,  I  spent  the  day 
in  religious  visits.  Thursday,  (being  thanksgiving 
day),  I  attended  a  meeting  in  the  east  part  of  the  town 


36  LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

near  Connecticut  river.  Friday,  1  went  to  Rocking- 
We  attended  a  nieetins;  in  the  evening,  liad  a 
comfortable  season,  and  found  a  good  many  loving 
brethren  in  that  place.  ►Saturday,  December  9lh, 
was  my  [)irthday;  1  was  twenlij-iwo  years  cf  age. 

Twenty-two  years  of  my  precious  time  is  gone, 

And  I'm  fast  hast'ning  to  my  long  and  final  home; 

0  may  my  work  be  finished  when  I'm  called  to  go, 

And  change  this  world  of  trouble  for  heaven  and  glory  too. 

Sabbath,  December  10th,  we  attended  meeting  in 
Rockingham.  Brother  P.  preached  in  the  forenoon, 
and  I  preached  in  the  afternoon  ;  we  had  a  com- 
fortable meeting.  Monday,  we  went  to  the  south  par- 
ish, and  in  die  evening  preached  there.  The  people 
appeared  to  be  hardened  in  sin,  and  shielded  against 
the  gospel.  The  place  seemed  like  a  paradise  lost. 
The  next  day  we  went  to  Athens;  and  when  I  arrived, 
it  brought  to  my  mind  old  father  Paul,  Acts  xvii.  16: 
"  Now  while  Paul  waited  for  them  at  Athens,  his  spir- 
it was  stirred  in  him,  when  he  saw  the  city  wholly  giv- 
en to  idolatry."  However,  I  hope  this  is  not  the  de- 
scription of  this  town,  for  we  found  a  number,  who,  I 
believe,  are  worshijrpers  of  the  living  God  and  not  wor- 
shippers of  idols.  We  met  with  them  in  the  evening, 
and  towards  the  close  of  the  meeting,  a  number  came 
forward,  kneeled  down,  and  des'red  us  to  pray  for 
them.  The  next  day  we  spent  in  visiting  from  house 
to  house.  We  called  at  one  house,  and  found  ihe 
family  very  much  opposed  to  religion;  and  when  they 
found  that  our  conversation  was  on  religious  subjects, 
they  desired  us  to  quit  the  house.  We  informed 
them  that  we  did  not  come  in  to  do  them  any  harm. 
Rut  when  I  perceived  that  they  were  in  a  great  rage, 
and  it  was  not  in  our  power  to  calm  them  I  asked 
them  if  they  were  willing  that  I  should  pray  with  them 
before   1    left  ths  house;— they  answered,  no.     We 


LIFE    OF    JOHX   COLBY.  37 

then,  in  the  presence  of  them  all,  sliook  off  the  dust 
of  our  feet  for  a  testimony  against  them,  and  departed. 
O  that  the  Lord  might  have  mercy  on  that  family,  and 
prepare  them  to  meet  us  another  day. 

In  the  evening,  we  attended  another  meeting  at  the 
school  house,  where  we  met  the  evening  before;  we 
then  took  our  leaye  of  the  brethren  and  the  next  day 
went  to  Putney. 'Mn  the  evening  of  that  day,  brother 
P.  manifested  th^t  he  had  great  trials  on  bis  mind, 
whether  it  was  duty  for  him  to  go  any  further  with  me 
or  not.  However,  the  next  morning,  he  mustered 
what  resolution  he  had,  and  concluded  to  pursue  the 
journey  with  me.  Accordingly  we  sat  off,  and  went 
through  Dummerston,  and  thence  through  Brattlebor- 
ough,  where  we  attended  an  evening  meeting. 

i  had  now  been  in  company  with  brother  P.  about 
three  weeks;  and  had  expected,  when  I  left  home, 
(as  well  as  all  my  friends)  to  have  enjoyed  his  com- 
pany, and  travelled  as  companions;  to  have  borne 
each  other's  burdens,  and  so  to  have  fulfilled  the  law 
of  Christ.  But  he  now  concluded  that  it  was  not  the 
will  of  God,  that  he  should  go  any  further;  and  in 
consequence  of  this  conclusion,  the  next  morning, 
December  16th,  he  bade  me  farewell,  and  went  back. 

My  trials  appeared  too  great  for  me  to  bear;  but  I 
repaired  to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  gave  myself  anew 
to  the  Lord. 

1  had  now  no  earthly  friend  with  me;  no  one  to 
speak  to,  that  I  had  ever  seen  before.  I  was  now  a 
stranger  in  a  strange  land,  with  a  lame  horse,  and  but 
a  few  dollars  with  me,  to  bear  my  expenses;  and  for 
the  good  of  others,  (not  for  myself,)  I  had  to  face 
cold  winds  and  snow.  And  what  was  still  worse,  I 
had  to  face  a  frowning  world;  and  my  contemplate4 
journey,  consisting  of  hundreds  and  hundreds  of  miles, 
was  into  a  strange  country,  where  I  had  neither  rela- 
tive nor  acquaintance;  and  not  knowing  what  might 
befal  me,  save,  as  Paul  said,  "that  the  Holy  Ghost 
4 


38  LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBY. 

witnesseth  In  everj  city,  saying  that  bonds  and  afflic- 
tions abide  ine."     Acts    xx:  23.     Under   these  con- 
flicts, 1  prayed  that  I   might  have  grace  to  be  able  to 
say,  as  I'aul  said,   in  the  24th  verse:    "  but  none  of 
these  lhing;s   move  me;    neither  count  I  my   life  dear 
unto  myself,  so  that  1  might  finish  my  course  with  joy 
and  the    ministry  which  I  have  received  of  the    Lord 
Jesus,  to  testify   the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  (iod."-- 
Thus  I  left  Marlborough,   travelled  through  Wilming- 
ton, and  crossed  the  Green  Mountain;  passing  through 
Reedsborough  and  Woodford,  and  thence  to  Benning- 
ton, where  1  tarried  Saturday  night,  with  a  member  of 
the  presbyterian  or  congregational  church.     Sabbath- 
day  morning,  the  old  gentleman  desired  me  to  go  with 
liim  to  yisit  his   grand-daughter,  who  lay   sick  with  a 
fever.     I  accordingly  went,  conversed  with,  and  pray- 
ed for  her.     She  appeared   to  be  much  concerned  a- 
bout   her  lost  situation,   (while   the   weeping  family 
stood  around,)   soon  expecting  to  close  her  eyes  in 
death.     ^^  e  returned,  and  it  being  meeting  time,  we 
repaired  to  the  meeting  house,  where  a   multitude  of 
the  rich  and  most  popular  people  of  Bennington,  were 
assembled  to  hear  the  Rev.  Mr  Marsh,  minister  of  the 
town.     He  delivered  a  discourse  in  the  forenoon.    In 
the  intermission,  I  was  invited  to  the  house  where  he 
quartered,  and  introduced   by  General   SafFord,    the 
gentleman  with  whom  I  stayed  the  night  before.    The 
Parson  rery  politely  received  me,  and  kindly    invited 
me  to  preach  in  the  afternoon.     This  was  so  much  to 
my  astonishment,  I  hardly  knew  what  answer  to  re- 
turn  him.     I  had  been  looking  so   much  at  my  own 
inability,  the  popularity    of  the  place,  and,  I   had  be- 
come almost  blind  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  fulness 
which  is  in  Christ.     But  I  immediately  retired  by  my- 
self, and  asked  wisdom  of  God,  who  knew  my  situa- 
tion.    I  soon  found  as  the  door  was  open,  I  must  step 
ia,  or  be  condemned  for  neglect,  which  I  thought  I 
could  not  endure.     I  therefore  returned  and  told  Mr 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  59 

Marsh,  I  would  try  to  preach.  The  time  having  now 
come  for  exercise  to  begin,  we  repaired  to  the  place 
of  worship;  and  Mr  Marsh,  in  a  very  polite  manner, 
led  me  up  into  the  pulpit.  Here  I  was  much  tried 
and  tempted  of  the  devil,  on  many  accounts.  This  I 
considered  was  about  the  first  and  oldest  town  in  the 
State;  and  was  formerly  the  capital.  A  place  where 
governors,  generals,  judges,  great  men,  mighty  men, 
chief  captains,  &c,  resided.  The  meeting  house  was 
the  finest  and  most  elegant  I  had  ever  preached  in. — 
However,  1  prayed  to  the  Lord  that  the  fear  of  man 
might  be  taken  from  me,  and  my  prayer  was  answer- 
ed. After  singing  and  prayer,  1  read  Isaiah  iii,  10, 
11;  "  Say  ye  to  the  righteous,  that  it  shall  be  well 
wiih  him;  for  they  shall  eat  the  fruit  of  their  doincjs. 
Woe  unto  -the  wicked!  it  shall  be  ill  with  him;  for 
the  reward  of  his  hands  shall  be  given  him."  The 
fear  of  man,  pride  and  unbelief,  being  immediately  ta- 
ken from  me  and  hid  from  mine  eyes,  the  spirit  of 
the  Lord  God  was  upon  me,  and  the  word,  I  believe, 
not  only  reached  the  ears,  but  the  hearts,  of  many  of 
the  hearers.  After  meeting,  I  was  invited  to  take  tea 
with  Mr  Marsh,  at  the  house  of  Elijah  Dewey,  the 
same  house  where  we  dined.  After  supper  I  started; 
and  as  I  was  going  out  of  the  door  the  woman  of  the 
house  put  a  dollar  into  my  hand.  This  seemed  a  woa- 
der  to  me  as  she  was  an  utter  stranger.  But  I  found 
afterwards  she  was  acquainted  with  my  master;  I  think 
it  likely  that  she  gave  it  to  me  for  his  sake. 

In  the  evening,  I  attended  meeting  at  a  private 
housC;  where  one  of  the  members  of  the  church  lay 
sick  and  supposed  to  be  nigh  unto  death.  I  enjoyed 
good  freedom  in  speaking  to  the  youth,  (for  there 
were  many  present  who  heard  me  vi'ith  candour.)-^ 
After  meeting  I  was  strongly  invited  by  Mr  Marsh, 
and  several  of  the  church  members,  to  tarry  with  thena 
several  days.  But  as  I  did  not  fee!  a  tJius  saith  the 
Lord,  I  told  then)  I  must  pursue  my  journey.     Men- 


40  LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBF. 

day  morning,  leaving  Bennington,  I  crossed  into  the 
State  of  New  York;  and  passing  througii  lloosic,  I 
went  into  Fittstown.  Tiie  morning  following  I  shaped 
my  course  for  Albany  ;  crossed  the  North  River  at 
Troy,  and  from  thence  went  down  to  the  city.  1  at- 
tended a  meeting  at  the  Methodist  meeting-house,  and 
put  up  that  night  with  Oslrander,  a  methodist  preach- 
er. 

The  next  day,  as  I  passed  through  the  streets,  an 
awful  solemnity  fell  upon  my  mind,  and  such  a  weight 
for  the  people,  that  1  felt  like  a  cart  pressed  under 
sheaves;  so  that  I  could  scarcely  ivaik  the  streets.  I 
do  not  know  that  I  could  have  felt  more  solemn,  if 
Gabriel's  trumpet  had  been  at  that  moment  sounding. 
Here  I  beheld  people  of  all  classes  and  ages,  from 
three  score  and  ten,  down  to  little  children,  ruiiiiirg 
to  and  fro  in  the  streets,  all  apparently  drowned  with 
the  cares  of  the  present  world,  and  insensible  to  the 
impending  storm  which  is  to  be  rained  upon  the  wick- 
ed. Some  were  chanting  to  the  sound  of  the  viol  ; 
some  cursing  and  swearing;  others  crow-ding  the  grog- 
shops, and  drinking  to  drunkenness;  yet  hailing  each 
other  over  their  flowing  bowls,  with  their  lips  wishing 
heaUh  to  others;  while,  by  their  intemperate  pouring 
down  into  their  own  throats,  the  slow  but  deadly  poi- 
son, they  were  ruining  themselves,  and  probably  their 
families.  Ah!  poor  tipplers,  thought  I — a  few  more 
days,  and  you  would  be  glad  instead  of  the  liquor  you 
are  now  intemperately  wasting,  of  even  a  drop  of  wa- 
ter to  cool  your  tongues.  J^ut  I  left  Albany  in  haste. 
Yet  not  without  praying  to  God  to  have  mercy  on  the 
people. 

I  then  passed  through  the  lonely  barrens  of  Water- 
fleet  to  Duansburgh,  where  I  preached  in  the  evening, 
and  it  appeared  to  be  a  profitable  meeting  to  the  youth. 
The  next  day  I  passed  through  Scoharrie  and  Carlisle, 
to  Cobuskiln,  and  lodged  widi  Tiiomas  'i'awlman,  a 
preacher  of  the  gospel;  who  informed  me  that  when 


LIFE  OF    JOHN   COLBY.  41 

the  Lord  first  called  him  to  preach,  he  could  not  read; 
and  did  not  know  so  much  as  the  English  alphabet; 
and  on  that  account  he  refused  to  go.  That  upon  his 
refusal  he  immediately  began  to  preach  in  his  sleep, 
in  dead  of  night;  and  often  talked  so  loud  as  to  awa- 
ken all  the  people  in  the  house.  He  said  he  contin- 
ued in  this  way  about  six  months;  then  consented  to 
obey  the  Lord  and  preach  the  preaching  that  God 
bade  him.  He  has  been  greatly  blessed  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  has  seen  many  souls  converted  under 
h's  improvement.  The  night  I  tarried  at  his  house  I 
was  waked  out  of  my  sleep  by  his  preaching;  and  al- 
though he  appeared  to  be  in  a  sound  sleep,  I  scarce 
ever  heard  a  more  solemn  and  powerful  discourse. 

The  day  following,  I  went  through  Worcester  and 
Maryland,  and  thence  to  Otsego;  crossed  the  b'usque- 
hannah,  and  went  down  into  Sidney,  Delaware  coun- 
ty. Here  I  tarried  over  the  Sabbath;  preached  two 
sermons  in  the  day  time,  and  one  in'  the  evening.  It 
was  a  day  of  trial  to  me.  1  had  but  little  freedom  in 
speaking;  and  even  doubted  whether  I  was  ever  call- 
ed of  God  to  preach  the  gospel.  Under  this  sore  tri- 
al, I  prayed  to  God,  and  said,  O  Lord,  decide  this 
doubtful  case,  or  I  can  go  no  further.  Here  I  am  in 
a  strange  land;  I  have  no  earthly  friend  to  stand  by 
me;  and  if  thou  shouldst  forsake  me,  where  shall  I  go; 
or,  to  whom  shall  I  fly  for  relief. 

Monday,  I  staid  in  the  same  neighborhood i  preach- 
ed in  the  evening  at  Isaiah  Crowell's  and  the  Lord  ap- 
peared for  my  deliverance,  'ihe  young  people,  who 
were  light  and  carnal  in  meeting  the  day  before,  were 
now  clothed  with  solemnity,  and  melted  into  tears. — 
Tuesday  morning,  after  holding  a  long  conference  with 
the  brethren,  (for  they  had  no  preacher  in  that  place, 
and  therefore  insisted  much  on  my  silting  down  with 
them,  and  to  go  no  further,  but  to  which  I  consented 
not,)  J  departed  and  went  down  to  Jericho.  And  al- 
though 1  did  not  fall  among  thieves,  yet  I  fell  in  a- 
*4 


42  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT. 

mong;  a  parcel  of  hnrdcnpd  universnlists;  wlio  said,  it 
mattered  not  how  people  lived  in  tliis  world,  lor  all 
would  be  well  after  death.  ]>ut  I  fear  that  such  ])oor 
mistaken  souls  will  soon  find  that  all  is  not  well;  when 
they,  with  all  the  thunder-struck  multitude,  shall  be 
summoned  to  the  judgment  seat,  and  be  dismissed  with 
a  '^  Depart  yc  cursed  into  everlasting  firc,''^  ^-c.  I 
tarried  in  that  place,  two  nights  and  one  day.  I 
preached  at  tha  dwelling-house  of  one  Ijenneit.  I 
spoke  from  Rev.  vi:  17.  "  For  the  great  day  of  his 
wrath  is  come,  and  who  shall  be  able  to  stand  ?"  I 
endeavored  to  show  them  from  scripture,  who  would 
be  able  to  stand,  and  who  would  not  be  able  to  stand. 
I  enjoyed  good  freedom  in  sjieaking  on  the  subject, 
and  declared  among  them  the  whole  counsel  of  (Jod. 
1  expected  after  meeting,  that  some  of  them  would  at- 
tack me  on  the  subject  but  none  of  them  ventured  for- 
ward. I  was  informed  by  some  of  the  family  the  next 
day,  that  a  number  of  them  acknowledged  that  they  had 
beard  the  truth. 

Leaving  tliis  jilace,  1  crossed  Jericho  bridge, 
(which  was  the  fifth  time  I  had  crossed  the  Susque- 
bannah.)  1  preached  in  the  evening  on  the  other  side 
of  the  ri?er.  The  next  day  I  went  to  Windsor  ; 
and  from  thence,  down  the  Shenango  river,  and  cross- 
ed at  k^'heiiango  Point.  From  thence  I  travelled 
through  T  nion  to  Tioga,  and  tarried  there  till  sabbath 
day  morning.  I  then  sat  ofFearlv,  and  w^ent  down  to 
Owego,  expecting  to  preach  somewhere  in  the  village 
that  day,  but  they  would  not  receive  me.  Of  this 
Tillage  1  can  speak  nothing;  favorable  as  to  their  reli- 
gion or  piety.  I  fear  it  is  loo  much  like  Shenango 
Point.  I  was  credibly  informed,  that  there  was  not 
one  christian  in  the  place,  although  it  is  a  considera- 
ble village.  I  thea  went  on  about  eight  miles  further, 
and  found  a  meeting,  which  1  attended.  I  also  attend- 
ed another  meeting  in  the  evening,  in  the  same  vicin- 
ity.    'J  his  was  the  51st  day  of  December,  and  closed 


LIFE    OF   JOHN   COLBY.  48 


the  year  1809.— At  this  time  I  prayed  and  said,  "  O 
thou  parent  of  the  Universe,  and  God  of  all  grace  ; 
look  down  with  compassion  on  thy  feeble  servant, 
who  has  now  retired  to  this  solitary  grove,  to  implore 
thy  favor  and  look  up  to  thee  for  forgiveness  of  past 
offences,  and  grace  to  help  in  days  to  come.  Ihou 
knowest  I  am  hut  a  child,  and  stand  in  need  of  thy 
grace — thy  almighty  arm,  to  support  me — thy  Spirit 
to  guide  and  direct  me  into  all  truth,  while  I  pass 
through  this  vale  of  tears.  O  may  I  rather  die  than 
ever  wickedly  depart  from  thee,  the  fountain  of  living 
waters.  Do  thou  be  pleased  to  deepen  the  work  of 
grace  in  my  heart,  and  clothe  me  with  humility  as 
"with  a  garment.  Suffer  me  never  to  run  before  I  am 
sent  ;  nor  keep  back  when  thou  callest  me  to  go.  And 
as  I  am  now  not  only  advancing  towards  the  grave, 
but  also  journeying  to  a  distant  country,  far  from  all 
my  relations  and  natural  friends  ;  I  humbly  pray  that 
thou  would'st  be  my  everlasting  friend,  and  unchang- 
ing portion,  and  my  exceeding  great  reward  ;  not  on- 
ly on  this  journey,  but  through  the  journey  of  life — 
the  gloomy  vale  of  death — and  in  the  countless  years 
of  an  expanded  eternity.  And  now  as  it  has  pleased 
thee  to  continue  my  almost  useless  life  to  the  close 
of  this  year,  and  I  am  about  commencmg  a  new  one  ; 
do  ihou  furnish  me  with  a  new  supply  of  grace,  that 
I  may  be  enabled  better  to  improve  the  approacliing 
year,  and  all  my  time  below,  than  ever  I  have  yet  done. 
Do  thou  remember  mercy  to  my  parents,  brethren, 
and  sisters,  that  I  have  left  behind,  and  all  my  breth- 
ren in  Christ,  and  unconverted  young  people,  in  that 
part  of  thine  heritage.  And,  do  thou  be  pleased  to 
have  compassion  on  the  families  in  affliction — the  ru- 
lers of  the  nations — subjects  and  slaves — ministers 
and  people,  in  every  state  and  land,  in  their  different 
situations  and  necessities.  And  grant  that  I  may  at 
last,  with  all    the    sanctified    millions,    be    preserved 


44  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

blameless  to  thy  heavenly  kingdom,  to  praise  thee  for- 
ever and  ever.     Amen. 

January  1st,  1810,  I  tarried  in  the  place  before 
mentioned  ;  and  in  the  evening  preached  at  brother 
Light's  ;  and,  to  the  praise  of  God  be  it  spoken,  I 
had  a  glorious  time.  Some  who  attended  the  meet- 
ing, will,  I  believe,  have  cause  to  rejoice  for  it  in  the 
day  of  eternity,  'i'he  next  day  1  left  the  place,  en- 
tered the  State  of  l*ennsylvania,  and  passing  through 
the  village  at  Tioga-point,  I  went  down  through  Athens 
to  Ulster,  and  abode  there  that  night.  The  next  day, 
after  visiting  several  families,  I  went  to  brother  C'ork- 
ing's,  who  lived  about  fifteen  miles  distant  and  attend- 
ed a  meeting  that  evening  at  his  house.  The  next 
day  1  went  through  Burlington  and  Alba,  and  thence 
into  Canton,  and  put  up  with  a  brother  by  the  name 
of  Powers  ;  I  also  attended  a  meetmg  that  evening  at 
his  house.  There  was  a  small  church  lately  embod- 
ied in  that  place.  I  was  led  to  address  them  in  the 
following  words,  •'  Fear  not  little  flock,  for  it  is  your 
Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  yoa  the  kingdom." 
We  had  a  refreshing  time  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord.  The  next  day  I  took  my  leave  of  the  breth- 
ren, and  went  on  about  a  mile  and  a  half,  when  I  call- 
ed into  a  house.  After  having  been  jhere  a  little 
while  they  invited  me  to  stop  and  preach  with  them 
on  the  next  sabbath.  I  thought  at  first,  I  could  not ; 
but  after  retiring,  and  secretly  asking  the  Lord  to 
manifest  my  duty  in  this  respect,  I  felt  strongly  im- 
pressed to  stay.  I  therefore  gave  out  the  appointment, 
and  returned  that  day  through  the  same  neighborhood 
where  I  preached  the  night  before  ;  went  on  about 
three  miles  further,  and  there  tarried  that  night.  The 
next  day,  I  still  went  on  a  mile  and  a  half,  or  two  miles, 
through  the  woods  ;  and  found  a  family  where  a  num- 
ber of  young  people  resided.  1  entered  into  conver- 
sation with  them.  I  found  them  attentive,  and  they 
appeared  to  be  affected.     Some  of  the  young  people 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLEY  45 

uho  had  been  much  given  to  lightness,  I  invited  to  go 
to  the  conference  meeting,  which  was  to  be  holden 
on  Saturday  ;  and  also  to  attend  the  meeting  which  I 
had  appointed  on  the  following  Sabbath.  And  not- 
withstaneling  the  distance  was  considerable,  they  went 
on  foot ;  and  I  humbly  hope  they  will  rejoice  there- 
for to  an  endless  eternity.  This  was  the  day  of  the 
conference.  I  therefore  attended  it  with  the  breth- 
ren ;  and  in  the  evening,  preached  in  the  sanrie  neigh- 
borhood. Next  day,  being  the  sabbath  I  went  on  to 
my  appointment.  The  meeting  was  holden  at  a  place 
called  Town-Day  ;  a  noted  place  for  wickedness. 
The  people  assembled  in  a  large  number  ;  and  if  ev- 
er the  Lord  assisted  me  he  did  that  day.  The  words 
of  my  text  were  these  ;  '•  I  have  a  message  from  God 
unto  thee."  The  power  of  the  Lord  fell  upon  the 
people  ;  and  there  was  scarcely  one  person  young  or 
old  but  what  shed  tears  ;  although  many  of  them  had 
before  been  awful  opposersof  the  people  of  God. 

Sabbath  day  evening,  I  attended  another  meeting 
near  the  same  place,  and  we  had  a  glorious  season  on 
account  of  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  I  told  the  peo- 
ple I  should  leave  the  place  the  next  morning  ;  and 
those  that  were  young,  came  and  bade  me  farewell  ! >sjf ^ 
It  seemed  as  if  their  hearts  would  have  broken,  as  they 
expected  not  to  see  me  any  more  in  this  world.  Such 
a  time  I  never  witnessed.  I  could  but  cry  out  myself, 
in  the  language  of  Jeremiah,  O  that  my  head  were 
waters,  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might 
weep  day  and  night.  There  were  many  things  which 
took  j)lace  here  that  were  remarkable,  which  I  can- 
not stop  to  relate. 

Monday,  1  went  on  to  the  head  of  Lake  Common, 
and  put  up  with  a  widow  Roberts,  and  that  night  at- 
tended a  meeting  at  her  house.  The  next  day  1  went 
on  through  Lake  Common,  (which  is  the  name  of  a 
river  or  creek,)  which  I  forded  forty-four  times  in 
going  thirty  miles.     I  tarried  Tuesday  night,  in  New- 


46  LIFE    OF   JOHN    COLBT. 

bury,  at  one  Smith's.     The  next  day  I  went  down  to 

Jaysbiirgh,  a  little  village  near  Siisqueiiannah  West 
Branch.  Here  I  attended  a  meeting  among  a  set  of 
lukewarm  baptists,  and  had  not  a  very  good  time. 
The  rollowing  evening  I  went  about  a  mile,  and  at- 
tended a  meeting  at  Loyal  Sock.  Next  day  went 
through  Jersey  Shore,  crossed  Pine  Cieek,  and  went 
up  ihe  Susquehannah  river  about  twenty  miles,  into 
Dunstable.  J?y  the  way,  I  saw  a  large  company  of 
scholars  in  a  field.  I  rode  up  to  the  fence,  called  to 
thsm,  and  they  came  to  me.  I  talked  to  them  some- 
time, and  reminded  them  of  death,  judgement,  and 
eternity.  I  then  went  on.  That  evening,  I  arrived 
at  brother  BearcVs,  in  Dunstable.  The  next  day, 
crossed  the  Susquehannah  river,  and  thence  to  Bald 
Eagle,  and  so  on  to  the  Center  Township.  Stayed 
that  night,  and  attended  a  meeting  at  John  Thomp- 
son's. And  the  Lord  by  his  Spirit,  was  with  us. 
The  next  day,  I  passed  through  Bellfont,  to  l^atton 
Township,  and  tarried  that  night  with  a  family  of 
Dutch.  The  next  day,  being  Sabbath,  I  asked  the 
woman  if  I  could  have  the  privilege  to  preach  in  the 
neighborhood.  She  told  me  the  melhodists  had  a 
prayer  meeting  appointed  in  a  neighboring  housa.  I 
desired  her  to  send  her  boys  and  notify  a  meeting  ; 
but  they  appeared  to  be  unwilling  to  go.  I  gave  one 
of  them  a  piece  of  money  ;  he  then  went  out  and  told 
the  people  that  there  would  be  preaching  that  day. 
A  number  came  out  to  hear,  and  I  believe,  according 
to  what  appeared  in  the  meeting,  and  by  information 
which  I  received  afterwards,  it  was  not  a  lost  o))por- 
tunity.  I  then  went  on  t<5  Half  Moon,  about  three 
miles,  and  met  a  large  collection  of  people,  chiefly 
young.  And  having  been  requested  to  preach  to  the 
youth,  I  addressed  them  from  I'lccles.  xii.  L  I  had 
great  freedom  in  speaking,  and  God  applied  the  word 
to  the  hearts  of  the  people  ;  almost  all  the  assembly 
were  struck  under  conviction.     Paul  may  plant,    Ap- 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT.  47 

olios  water  ;  but  God  giveth  the  increase  ;  and   bles- 
sed be  his  name. 

The  next  morning,  a  man  came  up  from  the  place 
where  I  preached  on  the  Sabbath  ;  and  requested  me 
to  go  back  and  preach  there  again.  He  was  an  old 
man  and  had  spent  his  days  in  sin.  I  told  him  I 
would  go.  He  made  the  appointment,  on  Tuesday 
night.  I  went  on  that  day  about  five  miles  further, 
tnd  preached  in  the  evening,  at  brother  Saddler's  ; 
and  the  Lord  was  truly  in  that  place  indeed.  I  went 
back  the  next  day  to  my  appointment,  and  met  a  large 
concourse  of  people  ;  the  greatest  gathering,  it  was 
said,  that  ever  met  in  the  place.  I  was  also  informed, 
that  some  who  attended  had  not  been  to  a  meeting  be- 
fore for  four  years  ;  though  there  had  been  meetings 
holden  in  the  place  for  ten  or  twelve  years.  There 
were  a  number  of  quakers  in  that  settlement,  and  ma- 
ny of  them  restrained  their  children  from  going  to  the 
meetings.  I  understood  that  one  man,  the  week  be- 
fore I  got  there,  followed  his  daugliter  to  the  meeting, 
and  pulled  her  out  of  the  house.  But  at  this  time,  ho 
came  on  foot  five  miles  to  the  meeting,  and  let  his 
children  come  with  him.  The  evening  appeared  to 
be  a  comfortable  season.  After  meeting  was  done,  I 
told  the  people  I  did  not  expect  to  meet  with  them 
again.  And  I  wished  all  who  meant  to  seek  the  Lord 
and  wished  me  to  pray  for  them,  to  make  it  manifest 
by  shaking  hands  with  me.  And  I  judged  there  were 
about  an  hundred,  who  entered  into  covenant  to  seek 
the  Lord.  And  one  young  man,  who  a  few  days  be- 
froe,  arose  in  meeting,  shut  his  fist,  and  swore  he 
would  knock  down  a  man  who  stood  exhorting,  now 
ceme  forward,  and  entered  into  this  covenant.  Next 
day  I  went  back  to  brother  Saddler's  ;  and  in  the 
evening,  attended  a  meeting  in  his  neighborhood. 
There  nas  a  large  company  of  people,  but  nothing 
special  took  place.  The  next  day,  I  felt  an  impres- 
sion to  meet  with  the  quakers,   (there  being  a   society 


48  LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLBI. 

of  that  persuasion  in  tiie  place,  and  it  being  what  they 
call  their  fifth  day  meeting.)  But  previous  to  this,  I 
had  been  twice  to  see  their  head  man,  who  would  give 
no  liberty  to  speak  to  them.  However,  the  impres- 
sion on  my  mind  was  such,  that  I  went.  After  sitting 
about  an  hour,  trembling  at  the  cross,  I  arose  and 
spake  in  a  calm  manner  to  them,  about  five  or  six  min- 
utes. When  one  of  them  arose  and  told  me  to  sit 
down.  He  said  I  had  broke  their  order  and  ihey 
would  not  hear  me.  I  told  him  I  did  not  come  in  as 
a  spy,  but  that  the  Lord  had  sent  me  ;  and  charged 
him,  upon  his  peril,  to  adhere  to  what  I  had  said.  I 
then  sat  down, and  waited  till  the  time  of  their  shaking 
hands,  and  then  went  out.  The  next  day  I  heard 
they  blamed  the  man  who  opposed  me,  and  were  ve- 
ry much  grieved  at  his  conduct.  My  prayer  was. 
Lord,  lay  not  this  sin  to  his  charge.  Friday  evening, 
I  preached  at  a  tavern,  where  the  people  had  been  ve- 
ry much  opposed  to  religion.  The  next  day  I  visit- 
ed several  families,  among  whom  were  several  sick. 
Sabbath  day  I  made  a  second  attempt  to  speak  to  the 
quakers.  I  went  to  their  meeting,  and  sat  with  them 
in  silence,  till  they  arose  to  shake  hands.  I  then  arose 
and  told  them  that  I  had  a  few  words  to  observe,  if 
there  was  liberty;  and  that  if  they  had  any  objection, 
to  make  it  manifest;  if  not,  I  should  take  their  silence 
for  consent.  There  was  not  a  word  said,  but  the  peo- 
ple immediately  left  the  house,  almost  all  of  them.  I 
then  walked  towards  the  door,  and  began  to  speak. — 
About  half  the  people  gathered  in  again  ;  I  delivered 
my  message  to  them,  and  left  the  house.  O  that  God 
would  have  mercy  on  those  poor  formal  quakers,  and 
convert  their  souls,  that  they  may  no  longer  oppose 
the  work  of  God.  That  evening,  I  went  down  about 
four  miles  and  preached  at  brother  Wields.  There 
was  a  large  collection  of  people,  and  some  came  from 
a  great  distance.  There  was  a  general  attention,  and 
many  were  powerfully   convicted.     I  then  appointed 


LJFE   OF    JOHN  COLBY.  49 

another  nieetins;  the  next  day,  nt  the  same  place,  at 
one  o'clock  P.  M.  The  people  gathered, and  I  preach- 
ed my  farewell  to  them;  for  1  did  not  expect  to  see 
them  a2;ain.  We  had  a  powerful  time  through  the 
meeting,  which,  being  done,  the  people  seemed  un- 
willing to  go  away.  A  quaker  woman,  who  had  heen 
very  zealous  of  their  persuasion,  came  to  me  and  held 
me  by  the  hand  near  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  wept 
wonderfully.  Her  husband  also  bade  me  farewell  ; 
and  led  along  his  children,  one  by  one,  to  have  me 
talk  with  them.  There  was  a  number  of  quakers  at 
the  meeting,  particularly  young  people.  It  was  e- 
nough  to  melt  the  hardest  heart,  to  see  them  cry,  and 
hear  tljen  take  on,  when  I  left  them.  This  was  the 
Lord's  doing,  and  it  was  marvellous  in  our  eyes.  I 
could  not  leave  the  place  until  after  sunset.  I  then 
had  to  ride  six  or  eight  miles,  to  an  evening  meeting. 
When  I  got  there  the  people  had  been  gathered  some 
time.  I  fell  under  trial,  and  did  not  know  that  I  could 
say  a  word.  But  as  I  stood  by  the  fire,  warming  my- 
sell",  there  was  a  woman,  sitting  close  by  me,  having 
a  Intle  child  in  her  arms.  1  put  my  hand  on  the 
child's  head,  and  said,  *'  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  ex- 
cept ye  be  converted  and  become  as  little  children, 
ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven." — 
Matt,  xviii:  3.  I  went  on  and  spake  from  those  words 
and  had  great  liberty.  The  Lord  sent  the  word  home 
to  the  people's  hearts.  I  found  the  parents  of  the 
child  somewhat  alarmed.  The- next  morning  I  went 
to  see  them;  I  began  to  talk  with  the  man.  He  seem- 
ed at  first  somewhat  light  and  vain;  but  the  Lord  took 
him  in  hand.  I  conversed  with  him  some  time;  I  like- 
wise conversed  with  his  wife.  I  then  kneeled  down 
and  prayed.  They  both  kneeled  with  me,  and  like- 
wise the  man's  brother,  who  was  present^  and  by  pro- 
fession a  quaker.  While  I  was  praying,  the  quaker 
cried  for  mercy,  and  the  Lord  converted  his  soul.  I 
prayed  several  times^  and  then  rose  up.  The  man 
5 


50  LIFE   OF  JOIIX  COLBT. 

who  was  converted,  told  me  a  little  of  his  experience. 
He  said,  a  tew  nights  before,  he  dreamed  he  was  very 
sick,  and  iiad  but  ten  days  to  live.  At  length  he  sent 
tor  a  doctor,  who,  when  he  came,  told  him  he  must 
die.  But  afterwards  told  him,  he  thought  he  would 
get  well.  The  man  then  told  me,  that  he  was  to  hear 
me  the  night  before;  and  said,  when  1  came  in,  he 
thought  I  looked  like  the  very  man  whom  he  called 
the  doctor, 

'1  he  next  night,  I  preached  in  Frankling,  in  Hun- 
tingdon county;  and  there  appeared  to  be  a  general 
moving  on  the  minds  of  the  people.  I  stayed  that 
night,  with  the  man  before  msntioned,  with  whom  I 
had  talked  and  prayed.  Late  in  the  evening,  I  heard 
him  praying  to  (.rod  for  mercy.  And  in  a  few  days 
after  both  he  and  his  wife  were  converted  and  joined 
the  church. 

The  next  day,  I  went  to  see  a  very  aged  man,  who 
was  sick,  professing  great  piety,  and  had  abundance 
of  head  knowledge.  But  it  appeared  to  me,  that  he 
lacked  heart-holiness.  An  awful  sense  rested  on  my 
mind,  while  I  considered  that  the  old  man  was  making 
rapid  progress  into  eternity,  and  I  feared  he  was  de- 
ceiving himself.  I  retired  in  secret,  and  prayed  to 
God,  that  if  the  old  man  was  honest  hearted  and  fit 
to  die,  that  I  might  feel  easy  about  him  ;  but  if  not, 
that  I  might  feel  an  awful  sense  of  his  situation.  After 
thus  praying,  I  went  in,  and  felt  aw.^'tilly,  sure  enough. 
I  had  such  a  sense  of  his  situation,  as  viewing  him  a 
deceived  man  that  I  could  scarcely  stand.  1  told  him 
what  I  had  done,  and  talked  very  plain  to  him.  I 
then  kneeled  down  and  prayed  ;  he  appeared  to  be 
much  affected,  and  wept.     Sol  left  him. 

In  the  evening,  I  attended  a  meeting  three  or  four 
miles  from  that,  at  brother  Tiptin's.  It  was  a  power- 
ful time,  and  many  fell  to  the  floor.  Next  day,  at- 
tended a  meeting  about  two  miles  from  that  at  one 
Johnson's.     The  day  following  I  visited  several  fam 


LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBY.  51 

Hies.  Saturday  night,  I  preached  at  Huntingdon-fur- 
nace. Sabbath  day  I  preached  at  a  Methodist  meet- 
ing house  in  Warrier-Mark,  where  I  met  a  larsje  col- 
lection of  people.  And  through  the  grace  of  God  we 
had  a  universal  refreshing.  After  meeting,  I  went  to 
Half-moon,  (Ciuaker-vailey;)  which  was  about  eight 
or  ten  miles;  and  attended  a  meeting  that  evening. — 
The  house  was  crowded  in  such  a  manner  as  I  never 
saw  before.  The  people  had  mostly  to  stand  up; — 
yet  they  were  very  attentive;  and  I  believe  that  good 
was  done  in  the  name  of  the  holy  child  Jesus.  Mon- 
day, I  returned  back,  and  the  evening  attended  a  meet- 
ing at  a  widow  Lewis's,  which,  1  trust,  was  not  alto- 
gether in  vain.  Tuesday,  I  left  the  place  and  took  a 
journey  about  forty  or  fifty  miles,  to  a  place  where 
they  had  no  preaclilng.  Richard  Saddler,  of  War- 
rier-Mark,  an  exhorter,  went  with  me.  We  crossed 
the  Bald-Eagle  mountain,  and  from  thence  the  Alleg- 
hany; went  over  into  Philipsburgh,  and  held  a  meet- 
ing which  appeared  to  be  profitable.  We  then  lelt 
an  appointment,  to  attend  when  we  returned.  Next 
morning,  we  proceeded  to  attend  a  meeting,  which 
we  had  appointed  at  ten  o'clock.  This  meeting  a!s  > 
appeared  to  be  profitable.  We  then  rode  about  tea 
or  fifteen  miles,  and  put  up  at  Mr  Little's.  Xext  day, 
Feb.  1st,  we  held  a  meetmg  at  the  same  house,  in  the 
town  of  Chinclemoos,  (Clearfield  county.)  It  was  a 
noted  place  for  drunkenness,  and  other  wickedness. — 
But  the  people  appeared  to  be  very  solemn,  and  many 
of  them  were  ready  to  inquire,  "  What  shall  1  do  to 
be  saved  ?" 

Feb  2d,  went  out  to  Susquehannah  West  Branch, 
and  held  a  meeting  in  a  school-house;  there  was  a 
large  collection  of  people,  and  we  had  a  solemn  time. 
Many  were  struck  under  powerful  conviction,  and  said 
they  were  determined  to  live  a  new  life. 

Pebruaiy  3d,  we  went  a  few  miles  down  the  river, 
and  held  a  meeting  at  William   Bloom's.     This  was  a 


52  LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLBY. 

pi'nfitable   nipcting.     Many    saw   themselves  as    tlicy 
nevi^r  tlid  before. 

HHljlinili  (lay,  we  went  down  ilic  river  a  nuniher  of 
miles  lurllier,  and  held  a  meeting  at  a  place  calK^d 
Old  Town.  '1  here  was  a  large  concourse  of  people 
met;  and  glory  be  given  to  the  only  wise  Cod,  who 
inhabitetli  eternity,  for  the  solemnity  and  conviction 
which  rested  on  the  minds  of  the  peoole,  who  had  be- 
fore been  so  inuch  given  to  wickethicss;  but  wiio  now, 
almost  all  of  the  assernl>ly,  came  forward,  and  enter- 
ed into  a  covenant  to  serve  the  Lord.  God  help  them 
to  keep  their  covenant. 

The  next  day,  after  having  visited  several  families, 
we  went  back  up  the  river;  and  at  two  o'clock,  at- 
tended another  meeting,  \vhich  I  think  was  a  profitable 
time.  'J'he  next  morning  we  left  Chinclemoos,  set 
out  for  Clearfield,  and  we  had  a  hard  time  to  get  there. 
For  we  had  to  go  all  ilie  way  through  the  woods, 
where  there  was  no  road.  It  was  t4iought  that  we 
should  get  lost,  as  others  had  been,  in  attemptinff  to 
go  through.  But  by  the  mercy  of  Cod  we  found  the 
wwy,  and  got  into  C  learfield  settlement  a  little  before 
dark.  And  beirig  filled  with  a  sense  of  the  goodness 
of  Cod,  in  directing  us  through  the  dangerous  way, 
we  praised  liis  blessed  name.  The  next  day  we  at- 
tended a  meeting  with  the  Presbyterians  in  that  place, 
which  I  think  was  not  altogether  in  vain.  Next  morn- 
ing, we  left  (  learfield,  and  went  on  to  our  appoint- 
ment at  Fhilipsburgh.  'J  he  people  had  collected  from 
all  quarters;  some  cnmefrom  C  hinclemoos,  which  was 
near  twenty  miles  distant.  T  his  was  the  place  where 
we  held  our  first  meetin<T  when  we  went  out  ;  and 
here  ended  our  circuit,  in  which  we  had  many  good 
seasons.  Four  or  five  we  judged  were  converted,  and 
a  great  number  appeared  to  be  powerfully  convicted. 
1  his  was  also  the  Lord's  doing,  and  marvellous  in  our 
eyes. 

Next  morning,  we   sat  off  for  Warrier-Mark,   and 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  53 

crossed  back  over  ihn  Alleghany  mountain  into  Caltl 
EagL'  valley.  The  people  collected  and  we  had  a 
powerful  meeting  in  that  place.  VVe  th/n  cios&ed 
Bald  Eagle  mountam,  and  got  to  brother  h'addltr's  a 
little  after  dark,  '^i  he  next  njnrnuig,  i  was  so  uiiuell, 
that  I  couM  scarcely  sit  up,  and  seemed  to  be  threat- 
ened with  a  lever.  I  had  laken  a  violent  c(  Id  two 
weeks  before,  and  my  bodily  strength  seemed  U>  be 
declining  every  day.  And  still  to  add  to  my  iifflic- 
tion,  the  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  (ui  my  ab- 
sence) had  raised  an  awful  and  scandalous  report  about 
me,  too  bad  to  relate.  '1  his  l)rouiiht  fresh  to  my 
mind,  what  my  friends  said  to  me  before  I  lefi  l.ome. 
They  asked  me,  what  I  would  do,  in  a  distant  la  iil,if 
bad  stories  should  be  raised  about  me,  while  having  no 
friends  to  support  my  character  1  remembertci  liiat 
that  I  told  them  that  I  would  trust  in  God.  1  ihi  re- 
fore  resolved  to  rely  on  him;  believing  he  vvould 
plead  his  own  cause,  and  the  cause  of  them  that  plead 
it.  Through  great  infirmity  of  body  and  mind,^  went 
that  night  to  fiuntingdon  Furnace,  and  attended  a  meet- 
ing about  five  miles  from  brother  ^-laddler's.  A  Ii  eih- 
odist  brother  preached,  who  had  lately  come  to  the 
place;  and  on  account  of  two  or  three  persons  who 
had  passed  through  the  circuit,  whoiii  he  judged  lo  be 
imposters,  be  seemed  to  be  shy  of  me;  and  was  not 
willing  that  I  should  unite  with  hmi  in  worship.  (  n 
this  account  we  had  a  dull  meeiing.  The  next  day, 
being  sabbath,  a  large  number  oi"  peo|)le  assemble  I; 
and  many  of  the  brethren  conversed  with  the  preach- 
er on  account  of  his  opposing  me.  They  told  him 
he  was  wrong,  as  they  were  sure  the  Lord  was  wiih 
me.  Brother  Saddler  (who  had  been  with  m^  at 
Chlnclemoos,  and  was  as  good  a  man  as  they  had  in 
society,)  told  him  if  he  preached  that  day,  he  did  not 
think  the  Lord  would  be  with  him.  However  he 
went  on,  and  we  had  a  dark  time;  many  of  the  iireih- 
ren  were  much  dissatisfied  atid  finally  he  gave  the 
*5 


54  LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBV. 

matter  up,  concliuling  he  wns  wrong.  It  may  not  be 
amiss  here  to  mention  a  similar  case,  \vliicli  lKi|ii)enecl 
about  two  weeks  before,  as  it  may  learn  people  to  look 
ere  they  leap;  and  to  be  kind  to  strangers.  I  met 
with  a  iMeihodist  preacfjer,  who  examined  me  very 
closely,  talked  very  hard  to  me,  and  told  me  he  tho't 
I  should  have  made  more  converts,  to  have  abode  in 
my  own  country,  &c.  I  told  him  I  thanked  Cod  the 
(Jay  was  coming,  when  all  things  would  be  brought  to 
light;  and  then  it  would  be  known  what  I  came  there 
for.  We  attended  a  meeting  together,  and  he  tried  to 
preach;  but  was  plainly  convinced  that  the  Lord  did 
uot  assist  him  therein.  He  was  much  surprised,  and 
acknowledged  his  fault;  after  which  we  had  good  sea- 
sons together. 

Sabbiith  after  meeting,  I  went  to  Half-Moon,  Cen- 
tre county,  Quaker  \  alley,  to  attend  an  a[)p()intment 
I  had  there.  And  notwithstanding  the  scandalous 
story  the  wicked  had  made,  1  found  the  Lord  had 
cleared  the  way  for  me.  The  people  came  in  multi- 
tudes to  hear  the  words,  some  as  much  as  ten  miles. 
I  spake  to  them  and  the  Loid  sent  home  the  word 
with  power  to  their  hearts.  Monday  and  Tuesday  I 
spent  among  the  Quakers.  Tuesday  night,  I  stayed 
with  a  brotlier  Welds.  In  the  evening,  a  number  of 
young  people,  mostly  Quakers,  came  in.  I  talked 
with  them  some  time  and  then  prayed  ;  and  immedi- 
ately the  young  people  began  to  pray,  and  cry  for 
mercy.  The  exercise  continued  about  an  hoiu'.  In 
the  midst  of  it,  I  felt  an  impression  that  there  were 
people  around  the  house  who  had  come  to  oppose. — 
Although  I  had  no  outward  knowledge  of  their  being 
there,  yet  I  was  so  stroagly  impressed,  that  I  prayed 
to  God  to  have  mercy  on  them,  and  confound  tliem, 
with  as  much  faith,  as  if  the  fact  had  been  established 
at  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses.  We  arose, 
and  at  the  same  time,  a  man  and  a  woman  came  in, 
who  were  parents  to  two  of  those  young  Quakers. — 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  55 

The  man  immediately  ordered  his  children  home.  A 
very  striking  hymn  instantly  occurred  to  my  mind, 
and  1  began  to  sing.  The  poor  creatures  stood  con- 
founded sure  enough.  And  although  the  devil  tiied 
with  all  his  art  to  interrupt  us.  yet  he  could  not  pros- 
ecute his  design.  Four  of  the  company  were  hope- 
fully converted.  Glory  to  God  !  who  can  work,  and 
none  can  hinder  him. 

I  was  afterwards  informed,  that  the  man  and  woman 
had  been  listening  at  the  door  for  some  time.  Ihe 
woman  herself  told  me  that  she  held  the  door,  to  keep 
her  husband  from  breaking  in  ;  and  that  he  told  her, 
if  she  did  not  let  him  in,  he  would  take  up  a  log  of 
wood  and  smash  through  the  door.  I  am  astonished, 
I  am  tilled  with  wonder,  while  I  reflect  on  such  con- 
duct !  O  that  God  would  have  mercy  on  all  uncon- 
verted parents,  who  oppose  religion  in  their  children. 
I  believe  tlie  awful  consequence  of  such  opposition 
will  never  be  fully  known,  till  the  final  judgement  ; 
which  will  then  be,  to  the  astonishment  of  men  and 
angels. 

Feb.  15th,  I  went  to  the  Quakers' meeting.,  (which 
was  again  their  fifth  day  meeting.)  But  it  was  a 
gloomy  time  to  me,  knowing  that  there  was  no  liber- 
ty in  the  meeting  for  me  to  sjieak.  The  next  day  at 
evening,  I  attended  meeting  at  a  widow  Lewis's  ; 
and  it  appeared  that  the  Lord  continued  to  revive  his 
work.  One  poor  wicked  man  was  struck  with  the 
power  of  God,  that  he  had  even  like  to  have  fallen  ; 
but  made  his  way  out  of  the  house.  Sabbath  day,  I 
attended  meeting  at  Warrier-Mark.  A  Methodist 
brother  preached,  and  we  had  a  good  time.  One  in- 
stance happened  here  which  I  must  not  omit  to  re- 
late. A  Quaker  girl,  that  is,  one  of  those  who  was 
converted  on  the  'J'uesday  night  before,  being  very 
desirous  of  going  to  this  meeting,  asked  consent  of 
her  parents,  but  they  forbade  her  going.  JVeverthe- 
less,  being  so  desirous,  she  resolved  to  take  her  life  in 


56  LIFE    OF  JOHN   COLBT. 

her  hand  and  go.  Accordingly  she  stole  away,  hav- 
ing twelve  or  fifteen  miles  to  travel.  And  expecting 
her  mother  would  lollow  her,  she  left  the  road  and 
took  the  woods,  lest  she  should  be  overtaken.  She 
however  got  to  the  meeting  But  before  it  was  done 
her  mother  came  after  her  sure  enough  ;  and  the  poor 
girl  in  a  flood  of  tears,  had  to  leave  the  house  and  re- 
turn home. 

Sabbath  day  evening,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  the 
neighborhood  near  the  meeting-house  ;  many,  I  be- 
lieve, experienced  the  joys  of  tlje  upper  world. 

Tuesday,  I  went  back  through  Half-moon  ;  and  in 
the  evening,  attended  meeting  at  brother  Gray's.  It 
appeared  that  the  work  of  the  Lord  was  reviving 
througlic'ut  the  valley.  But  the  devil  roared  at  a 
dreadiul  rate  ;  and  I  never  saw  his  servants  more  bu- 
sy than  they  were  in  that  place.  1  left  anotbe-.r  ap- 
pointment tiiere;  and  next  day  returned  to  lluntmgdon- 
Furnace  ;  attended  one  meeting,  and  had  reason  to  be- 
lieve, that  some  good  was  done  in  that  place.  The 
next  day  I  went  from  house  to  house  ;  talked  with 
the  people,  and  the  Lord  powerfully  assisted  me.  I 
also  went  to  the  Furnace,  and  spake  to  some  there. 

Feb.  24,  I  went  on  to  brother  Gray's,  and  attend- 
ed the  meeting  belore  appointed.  1  told  tbe  fieople 
I  expected  to  leave  the  place  on  the  next  Monday  or 
Tuesday  ;  and  accordingly  took  my  farewell  of  them. 
It  was  truly  a  powerful  time  through  the  whole  meet- 
ing. It  was  a  weeping,  mourning  season.  "Blessed 
are  they  that  mourn  now,  for  ihey  shall  be  comforted." 

The  tirst  day  1  travelled  seven  miles  across  the 
barrens,  and  attended  a  meeting  at  Brother  Batman's 
where  there  was  a  great  gathering  of  people;  whose 
religion  appeared  to  consist  mostly  in  revelling  and 
mirth.  -One  striking  proof  of  this,  I  will  just  men- 
tion. A  w(.man,  belonging  to  the  church,  being  ta- 
ken sick,  thought  she  must  die  ;  and  promised  the 
Lord  il  he  would  spare  her,  she    would   reform,   and 


LIFE    OF   JOHN   COLBY.  57 

go  no  more  to  the  ball  room.  Whereupon  the  Lord 
raised  her  to  heaUh  ;  and  she  appeared  to  be  sober 
minded.  But  her  husband  was  displeased  ;  who, 
will)  the  assistance  of  one  of  his  brothers,  compelled 
her  to  go  to  a  frolic.  Ihe  consequence  was,  she  was 
immediately  sunk  into  despair,  and  in  a  few  days  died. 
The  man  from  whom  I  received  my  information,  told 
me  he  saw  her ;  and  that  her  very  countenance  was 
terrifying  in  her  expiring  moments.  She  cursed  her 
husband  and  brother,  who  forced  lier  to  the  ball.  The 
college-learned  priest  came  to  hear  me,  and  was 
much  displeased  with  me,  because  I  said  that  Jesus 
Christ,  by  the  grace  of  God,  tasted  death  for  every 
man.  However,  the  power  of  the  Lord  seemed  to 
fall  on  the  people  ;  and  crying  and  groaning  were 
heard  through  ail  the  house.  I  understood  that  some 
men  were  so  ofiposed  to  the  work;  that  they  wished 
to  take  away  their  wives;  bul  the  house  being  crowd- 
ed, they  could  not  succeed.  May  the  Lord  have 
mercy  on  blind  people,  who  will  not  believe  that  they 
are  in  danger,  till  judgement  shall    bring  it  to  light. 

Sabbath  day  night,  1  went  back  to  Warrier  Mark, 
and  attended  a  meeting  there  for  the  last  time.  It 
was  six  weeks  from  the  time  I  first  came  to  Half- 
Moon,  till  I  finished  my  labors  in  that  place.  I  saw 
a  glorious  revival  of  the  work  of  the  Lord  ;  a  dozen 
or  fifteen  hopefully  converted,  and  perhaps,  four  times 
that  number  under  j)ower(ul  conviction.  O  the  good- 
ness of  God!  W  ho  would  not  serve  him?  1  felt 
that  the  Lord  was  reviving  his  work  in  my  soul.  I 
never  had  felt  such  constant  joy  in  my  mind  before. 
I  had  often  felt  in  my  happiest  moments,  something 
that  I  was  sensible  must  be  done  away  ;  for  I  did 
believe  that  without  holiness,  no  man  could  see  the 
Lord  in  peace.  About  six  weeks  before,  as  I  was 
meditating  on  the  Scripture  and  the  privileges  of 
God's  people,  I  was  made  sensible  that  I  needed 
something  more  done  in  me,  to  qualify  me    for  a  seat 


58  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

at  Cod's  right  hand.  And  began  to  pray  for  myself, 
as  Paul  [)rayed  for  his  brethren.  1  Thess.  v.  23  ; 
viz.  that  the  very  God  of  Peace,  would  sanctify  me 
ivholiy  ;  and  that  my  whole  spirit  and  soul  and  body, 
might  be  preserved  blameless,  unto  the  coming  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  My  faith  began  to  increase  ; 
and  many  times,  while  I  was  in  prayer,  I  felt  the 
power  of  God,  like  a  tremor  through  my  whole  soul 
and  body.  My  faith  grew  stronger  in  God,  that  if  I 
continued  to  go  on,  1  sliould  yet  enjoy  that  degree  of 
christian  perfection,  which  is  the  privilege  of  (iod's 
people  to  enjoy.  I  therefore  resolved  to  be  more 
faithful,  both  to  God  and  men. 

l''ob.  27,  I  felt  that  my  work  was  done  in  that  place; 
and  felt  that  I  should  be  clean  from  the  blood  of  the 
people,  if  1  saw  them  no  more  till  the  last  judgement. 
And  though  the  circumstance  of  prevailing  sickness 
in  the  western  country  made  the  way  look  gloomy  ; 
many  speaking  discouraging  about  my  eoing  on  fur- 
ther ;  these  things,  with  tlie  thoughts  of  leaving  breth- 
ren with  whom  1  had  been  so  happily  united,  proved 
somewhat  trying.  Yet  feeling  that  I  had  no  contiuu- 
ing  city  here  ;  no  abiding  home,  but  must  journey  on, 
I  left  VVarrier  Mark,  on  Tuesday  morning,  setting  off 
from  brother  Western's,  where  a  large  number  of 
brethren  and  sisters  had  met  to  bid  me  farewell  !  'J'he 
trial  we  had  in  parting  was  inexpressible  ;  but  the 
thoughts  of  a  glorious  resurrection,  and  the  hopes  of 
meeting  in  eternal  glory,  to  part  no  more,  seevned  to 
revive  my  drooping  spirit.  Bidding  them  an  aflec- 
tionate  fu-ewell,  1  went  on,  and  crossed  the  little  Ju- 
niatta,  three  times  ;  though  with  some  diffuulty  on 
account  of  the  height  of  the  water.  I  travelled  into 
the  Alleghany  township,  and  lodged  at  a  private  house 
on  the  Alleghany  mountain.  The  family  were  by  j)ro- 
fession  Roman  Catholicks  ;  and  not  being  acquainted 
with  their  manner  of  worship,  I  was  struck  wiih  some 


LIFE  OF   JOHN   COLBT.  59 

astonishment  while  they  attended  to  say  their  prayers, 
as  they  termed  it. 

March  1st,  and  26, 1  travelled  over  the  Alleghany, 
passing  through  Chensburgh,  Bulah,  and  Blacklick, 
Indiana  county.  And  being  strongly  invited  by  a 
melhodist  preacher,  1  concluded  to  tarry  in  that  place 
over  the  Sabbath,  March  24,  being  Sabbath,  I  at- 
tended a  meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.at  a  brother 
Ginning's  in  the  township  of  Blacklick,  in  the  Forks  ; 
and  at  three  o'clock,  P.  M.  attended  another  meet- 
ing on  the  opposite  of  Blacklick  creek  at  Brother 
Dixion's.  After  the  appointment  was  made,  I  was 
informed  that  some  of  the  family  were  sick  with  the 
small  pox.  At  first,  I  was  at  a  loss  what  to  do  about 
fulfilling  the  appointment,  as  I  had  never  had  the  dis- 
order. But  on  a  second  consideration,  I  concluded 
that  God,  in  whose  service  I  was  employed,  was  able 
to  deliver  me  from  the  most  imminent  danger.  And, 
though  it  looked  like  presumption  to  go  to  the  place, 
considering  myself  a  stranger,  and  in  a  strange  land, 
hundreds  of  miles  from  all  my  natural  friends  ;  yet  I 
concluded  to  go  and  leave  the  event  with  God.  I 
accordingly  went,  believing  it  was  the  will  of  God  ; 
and  it  proved  a  remarkable,  solemn,  awakening  time. 
And  I  doubt  not  but  some  will  have  cause  to  rejoice 
in  eternity,  that  they  ever  saw  that  day. 

The  succeeding  week,  (leaving  the  main  road  to 
Pittsburgh,)  I  steered  a  southerly  direction  ;  crossed 
the  Canawaw  River,  the  Loyal  Hannah,  and  passed 
Unity  township,  Mount  Pleasant,  and  Conallsville.  I 
then  crossed  the  Yougholagania,  and  steered  for  Pitts- 
burgh. I  passed  through  Dunbar,  Cook's-Town,  &c.; 
then  crossed  the  Monongahela  river,  and  went 
through  Fallowfield,  Washington  county,  and  Will- 
iamsport,  to  Peter's-Creek  ;  at  which  place  I  preach- 
ed on  the  Sabbath,  it  being  the  1 1th  of  March.  March 
12,  I  went  to  Pittsburgh  ;  and  on  the  13th  day,  at 
evening,  I  preached  in  the  Court   House.     The  bell 


CO  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

was  rung  to  notify  the  town  of  public  worship.  I  al- 
so attended  several  other  meetings  in  the  place  ;  the 
fruit  of  which,  I  hope,  will  appear,  though  it  did  not 
till  after  many  days. 

March  IGili,  a  fire  broke  out  in  Woodstreet,  which 
consumed  four  or  five  houses  ;  and  several  people 
made  a  narrow  escape  from  the  flames.  One,  I  was 
informed,  was  forced  to  leap  from  a  window  in  the  sec- 
ond story,  and  thus  his  life  was  saved.  While  view- 
ing a  cotton  factory,  a  glass  furnace,  and  gristmills, 
that  went  by  the  steam  of  boiling  water,  it  brought 
to  my  mind  a  saying  of  Solomon,  Eccl.  vii.  29,  "Lo, 
this  only  hath  1  found  that  God  had  made  man  up- 
right ;  but  they  have  sought  out  many  inventions." 
And  that  of  Christ,  Luke  xvi.  8;  "For  the  children 
of  this  world  are  in  their  generation  wiser  than  the 
children  of  light." 

After  having  stayed  at  Pittsburgh  about  nine  days, 
the  principal  part  of  the  time  with  brother  Encell,  1 
left  the  town  on  the  twenty-first  of  March,  and  went 
on  to  J3ig-beaver,  and  from  thence  to  Little-beaver, 
where  I  crossed  the  line  into  the  state  of  Ohio.  From 
thence  to  Yellow  Creek,  Jefferson  county  ;  and  pass- 
ing through  Steubensvilleand  Warren,  1  came  toCol- 
erain,  where  I  attended  a  meeting  on  the  Sabbath,  the 
25ihof  March,  at  10  o'clock,  A.M.;  and  at  2  o'- 
clock P-  M.  the  same  day,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  St. 
Clearsville,  at  Deacon  Berry's,  Belmont  county. 

March  26,  I  went  on  through  Newel I's-Town  to 
Herkwood's  Township,  and  attended  a  meeting  in  the 
evening  at  a  widow  Gassaway's.  A  number  came  out 
at  a  short  notice  ;  but  no  visible  movement  appeared 
to  take  place  in  the  meeting  ;  and  1  must  say,  to  my 
grief,  that  pure  religion  appeared  at  that  time  to  be  at 
at  a  very  low  ebb  in  that  place. 

I  then  passed  on  through  Frankfort  and  Washing- 
ton to  Cambridge,  Guernsey  county,  and  stayed  at 
brother  Beatty's;  but  it  so    happened,  that    1    could 


LIFE    OF    JOHN   COLBY.  61 

have  no  meeting.  I  tlien  went  to  Zanesville,  wliicli 
was  the  seat  of  government,  and  expected  to  have 
held  a  meeting  at  the  State-house  and  had  partly  made 
an  appointment.  Rut  heing  informed  that  all  the  in- 
habitants were  innoculated  with  the  small  pox  ;  and 
also,  that  every  family  on  tiie  other  side  of  the  Mus- 
kingum, in  Springfield,  were  sick  of  the  same  disor- 
der, I  was  advised  not  to  stop.  I  then  crossed  the 
Muskirignm  river,  and  passed  through  Springfield  and 
Richland,  Faiifield  county,  and  thence  through  New- 
Lancaster;  and  so  on  to  Sciota  river,  and  crossed  it 
with  considerable  danger;  the  water  being  deep,  and 
the  stream  swii't.  I  then  passed  tlirough  ChiHicothe, 
Koss  counly,  ar.d  thence  into  Union.  April  1st,  Sab- 
bath day,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  brother  Parish's. — 
The  assembly  consisted  of  peoj^le  of  various  denom- 
inations; yet  there  appeared  to  be  a  general  concern 
on  the  minds  of  the  whole.  At  the  close  of  the 
meeting  the  people  insisted  on  my  making  another  ap- 
pointment; which  I  gave  out  to  be  on  the  next  Tues- 
day. A  number  of  people  came  and  attended  the 
meeting  with  great  solemnity;  and  I  had  reason  to  be- 
lieve, that  the  covenant  which  the  people  entered  into 
the  first  meeting;,  terminated  in  something  good  and 
glorious.  Several  came  forward  at  the  time  I  left 
them,  and  wished  me  to  remember  them  at  the  throne 
of  grace.  'I'hey  appeared  to  be  under  deep  convic- 
tion, and  all  their  desire  was  to  find  a  pardon  for  their 
sins,  and  to  feel  the  love  of  God.  I  then  went  to 
ChiHicothe,  and  attended  a  meeting  that  evening  in 
the  Methodist  meeting-house.  A  considerable  num- 
ber came  out,  and  among  the  rest, six  or  eight  Methodist 
preachers. 

April  4th,  I  left  the  town,  and  went  on  througli 
Clinton  county,  &c  ;  and  crossing  the  i^ittle  Miami, 
I  went  to  Lebanon,  in  Hamilton  county. 

April  6lh,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  a  school  house, 
in  Lebanon,  where  brother  Farris,  baptist  preacher 
6 


G2  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLEY. 

was  employed  in  teaching  school.  April  7ih,  I  spake 
10  a  number  of  people  at  the  same  house,  it  being 
their  church  meeting.  There  was  a  baptist  church  in 
the  phice,  a  number  of  inetl)odists,  and  a  few  presby- 
terians.  Jiut  they  all  seemed  to  be  in  a  low  state  of 
health  in  spiritual  view, 

April  8ih,  being  Sabbath  day,  I  was  invited  by 
brother  Farris,  to  go  to  a  place  called  Muddy-Creek, 
10  miles  from  Lebanon,  where  he  had  an  ap[)oint- 
mcnt.  1  went,  but  it  being  a  very  rainy  day,  there 
Mas  no  one  attended.  I  then  went  to  Cincinnati,  tlie 
capital  ol  the  state  of  Ohio,  which  is  situated  on  the 
bank  of  the  Ohio  River,  Lat.  39,  7  m.  north,  and 
long.  84,  15  m.  west.  Cincinnati  is  a  flourishing 
town,  considering  its  age.  It  was  then  not  20  years 
old  and  contained  500  dwelling  houses.  The  pres- 
byterians  had  a  house  for  public  worship,  and  a  set- 
tled preacher.  The  method ists  are  a  large  society  in 
the  town,  and  have  an  elegant  stone  meeting  house. 
They  have  several  local  preachers  there.  I  heard 
one  of  them  preach  a  funeral  sermon,  on  Tuesday, 
the  lOtli  of  April.  The  brethren  made  an  appoint- 
ment for  me  in  the  evening,  at  the  methodist  meeting 
house,  which  1  attended. 

April  12th,  I  left  the  town  and  went  to  Springfield, 
eight  or  nine  miles  distant.  On  my  way  1  was  taken 
witli  a  kind  of  fever  fit,  and  faintness,  to  such  a  de- 
gree as  I  had  never  felt  before.  However,  I  reached 
the  house  I  sat  out  for,  viz.  brother  Smith's,  (a  man 
from  Vermont.)  I  then  took  my  bed.  The  next  day, 
at  evening,  1  had  a  meeting  appointed  at  the  same 
house.  But  I  still  continued  so  unwell,  that  I  thought 
I  could  not  fulfil  the  appointment.  But.  towards  night, 
to  my  great  joy,  Elder  Jeren)iah  Ballard,  (formerly 
irom  Aew-Hampshire,)  came  in.  I  then  hoped  he 
would  preach,  but  he  being  unwell,  took  his  bed  too. 
The  people  gathered,  and  seemed  to  be  very  desirous 
to  hear  preaching.     I  therefore  rose  from  my  bed,  but 


LIFE   OF    JOHN   COLBY.  63 

could  hardly  stand  or  speak.  After  I  began  to  talk, 
however,  I  began  (o  revive;  and  the  Lord  set  home 
the  word  with  power.  Tiie  next  day,  April  14th,  I 
got  better,  and  rode  ten  miles  to  a  Quarterly  meeiinjr 
holden  by  the  Christian  Society  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  Miami.  I  attended  meeting  with  them  on  Satur- 
day and  Saturday  evening.  Sabbath  day  morning,  a 
large  congregation  assembled  in  a  grove.  And  being 
desired  I  preached  to  them  in  the  forenoon,  and  El- 
der Ballard  in  the  atternoon.  A  number  of  convicted 
persons  came  forward  to  be  prayed  for.  In  the  eve- 
ning we  attended  a  meeting  on  the  east  side  of  the 
Miami. 

April  16,  T  crossed  the  White  Water,  and  went 
down  into  the  Indiana  Territory,  which  lies  southwest 
of  the  State  of  Ohio.  Here  1  attended  a  meeting  at 
brother  Miller's.  In  the  evening,  I  attended  another 
meeting,  about  two  miles  distant  Irom  the  place  just 
mentioned. 

April  IT,  T  went  up  the  Miami  10  miles,  and  at- 
tended a  meeting  at  Mr  Wilson's;  we  had  a  precious 
time.  All  the  assembly,  but  four  or  five,  joined  in 
covenant  to  seek  the  Lord;  and  they  appeared  to  be 
hearty  in  it.  One  poor  old  man  told  me,  that  he  had 
not  had  such  a  good  meeting  for  eighteen  years. — 
April  18th,  I  went  back  to  Springfield,  and  atti&nded 
a  meeting  at  brother  Smith's,  which  I  think  vvill  nev- 
er be  forgotten.  Leaving  Springfieldj  I  went  through 
Hamilton,  to  Lemon;  and  in  the  evening  attended  a 
meeting  at  brother  Doty's.  The  next  day,  I  went 
through  Middletown  and  Franklin,  to  Daton,  and  put 
up  at  Col.  Patterson's;  where  the  christian  brethren 
were  sitting  in  conference.  Their  meeting  began  on 
Thursday.  On  Saturday,  they  hud  an  appointment 
for  preaching.  But  inasmuch  as  the  preachers  did  not 
bring  their  business  to  a  close,  in  proper  season  to  at- 
tend public  worship;  they  requested  me  to  repair  to 
the  stand  in  the  grove  and  speak  to  the  people.     I  ac- 


64  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

cordingly  did;  and  in  llie  evening,  I  attended  mec-ting 
with  iheni  ;it  brotlier  J'aiteison's;  we  had  a  liapj)/ 
lime.  kT^abbath  day  morning,  five  or  six  were  bap- 
tized in  t!)e  l^ig  Miami.  'J  be  people  ilien  repaired  to 
the  grove;  a  sermon  was  deliveicd  by  Mr  Thompson 
lo  a  very  large  assembly,  liie  brethren  then  sat  for 
communion.  I  judged  there  were  about  two  hundred 
communicants. 

'i'hese  people,  wh.o  call  themselves  Chri-itians, 
though  by  others  called  JS7iv  L<ghls,  appear  to  be  the 
most  engaged  in  religion  of  any  denomination  in  that 
l:-tate.  'ibeir  number  i  do  not  know.  The  metho- 
dists,  at  that  time  were  the  most  numerous  Accord- 
ing to  their  minutes,  their  number  was  about  5,000  ; 
and  between  two  and  three  thousand  in  the  baptist 
connexion.  Besides  these,  lliere  are  in  the  State  oth- 
er denominations,  viz.  Presbyterians,  Congregational- 
ists,  Covenanters,  Episcopalians,  Moravians,  I  uiher- 
Jins,  Quakers,  ►^bakers,  J)unkards,  Universalians,IIop- 
kinsians,  &'ocinians;  j-nd  perhaps  maiiymore. 

Rabbatli  day,  after  meeting,  I  went  four  or  five 
miles,  and  attended  a  meeting  with  a  number  of  peo- 
ple. We  had  a  profitable  season.  The  next  day,  I 
returned  and  i)reached  at  the  stand,  in  the  grove  be- 
fore mentioned. 

April  2^th,  I  left  brother  Patterson's,  under  some 
peculiar  trials;  passed  through  Daton  village;  and  from 
thence  went  to  V'ellow  Spring,  in  (ireene  county. — 
'J'he  water  of  this  spring  is  suj)posed  to  be  useful  in 
ahnost  all  disorders.  People  came  fiom  various  parts 
of  Kentuc-ky  and  \'irginia  ;  and  in  many  cases  were 
benefitted  by  the  use  of  it.  A.s  1  had  been  unwell,  I 
thought  it  might  be  of  use  to  me.  I  tiierefore  show- 
ered myself  and  drank  some  of  the  water.  That  which 
I  diank,  had  a  cathartic  operation,  'i'his  water  comes 
out  of  a  ledge,  at  the  bottom  of  a  hill,  beside  a  small 
creek;  and  pours  out  with  great  force.  It  tastes  very 
different  from  common  water.     Vrherever  it  runs,  it 


LIFE    OF    JOHN   COLBY.  66 

leaves  a  yellow  substance;  and  indeed  all  the  bank  be- 
low the  spring,  appears  to  be  of  a  yellow  hue. 

April  25th,  I  went  to  a  little  village  called  Spring- 
field, about  ten  miles  from  the  Spring,  and  attended  a 
meeting  in  the  evening.  The  next  day  I  went  toLn- 
ion  Township,  Campaign  county,  and  put  up  with  a 
brother  Currey  a  baptist  minister.  I  found  brother 
Currey  and  his  family  in  great  trouble  on  account  of 
the  death  of  one  of  his  daugliteis,  who  had  been  mur- 
dered a  few  days  before.  Next  morning  I  was  taken 
with  a  violent  sickness  at  my  stomacli,  and  remained 
unwell  through  the  day.  But  I  so  far  recovered  my 
strength^  as  to  preach  at  brother  Goodrich's.  The 
next  morning,  this  brother,  and  a  brother  Thomas, 
(both  baptist  preachers)  started  with  me,  they  having 
several  meetings  on  the  road  which  I  proposed  to  trav- 
el. We  went  first  to  Middletown,  and  attended  a 
meeting  on  Saturday  afternoon,  at  brother  Bradley's. 
After  meeting,  we  travelled  about  eight  miles  to  Jefi- 
erson,  in  Madison  county,  and  in  the  evening,  held  a 
meeting  at  brother  Harris',  on  the  Big  Derby  Creek. 
The  next  day  b'^ing  Sabbath,  we  attended  a  meeting 
in  the  same  neighborhood.  A  goodly  number  of  peo- 
ple attended,  and  paid  serious  attention.  I  spake  from 
2  Pet.  i:  19.  1  found  a  number  of  pilgrims,  though 
there  was  no  church  embodied.  They  had  no  preach- 
ing, except  what  they  tiad  from  travelling  preachers. 
The  next  day,  I  went  up  the  creek  about  five  miles, 
and  attended  a  meeting  at  brother  Taylor's  in  Derby 
Township.  I  spake  from  Luke  xx:  IS.  I  had  great 
liberty  in  speakmg,  and  the  presence  of  the  1  o;  d  was 
sensibly  felt  by  the  greater  pari  of  the  congregation. 
.Saints  were  comforted;  sinners  trembled;  and  back- 
sliders resolved  to  arise  and  go  to  their  Father's 
house;  where,  doubtless,  they  found  bread  enough  and 
to  spare. 

May  1st,  T  proposed  to  leave  the  place.     But  being 
disappointed  o(  getting  my  horse  shod   I  was  obliged 

6. 


6fi  LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLEY. 

>-  .  . 

to  tarry  until  the  next  dny.  ^And  I  believe  it  was  for 
the  best;  lor  the  people  were  extremely  anxious  to 
hear  the  word  ))reached.  1  therefore  gave  out  an  ap- 
pointment; and  although  ilie  notice  was  short,  a  good 
many  attended,  and  we  had  a  comfortable  season.  I 
had  reason  to  believe  that  one  young  woman  was 
converted;  and  several  lukewarm  professors  appeared 
to  be  resolved  to  repent  and  do  their  first  work. 

Way  2d,  I  left  ])erby,  and  wont  on.  I  crossed  the 
Sciota,  about  fifty  miles  above  Yanesville,  (the  -place 
where  I  crossed  when  I  went  down.)  I  then  crossed 
tlie  Whetstone  Creek,  a  large  branch  of  the  Sciota^ 
and  went  to  Woithington,  Franklin  county.  At  this 
place,  I  met  with  Mr  Kilboin-ne,  an  episcopalian 
])reacher.  Here  also  was  a  church,  constituted  in  that 
order.  But  1  thought  or  at  least  feared,  they  were 
too  much  like  the  church  in  tSardis,  mentioned  in  I\ev. 
iii:  ].  The  next  day  I  went  to  Ikickshire,  Delaware 
county.  In  the  evening,!  preached  at  Esq  Crown's; 
and  after  meeting,  a  gentleman  who  did  not  belong  to 
any  religious  society,  invited  me  to  go  home  with  him; 
and  said,  if  1  would  stop  in  the  place  a  montt),  his 
house  should  be  my  hofue.  But  1  could  not  acce[)t 
his  kind  offer.  The  next  day,  I  went  onward  through 
the  \voods,  to  Fredricktovi^n,  where  1  preached  in  the 
evening  at  Esq.  Ayer's  It  was  rather  a  dull  time. — 
The  day  following,  I  went  to  visit  a  sick  woman,  who 
lived  in  the  neighborhood,  whose  husband  was  an 
Universalian.  Slie  told  me,  after  he  came  from  nieet- 
ing,  that  he  said,  he  had  not  heard  so  good  a  sermon, 
since  he  lived  in  the  country,  lliis  1  do  not  speak 
boastingly;  but  it  somewhat  surprised  me,  when  I 
considered  that  [  had  spoken  so  pointedly  against  liis 
favourite  doctrine. 

The  next  day  being  S'abbath,  I  api)ointed  a  meet- 
ing at  Fredrick-Town,  at  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  and  rode 
about  four  miles  to  jittend  a  meetii^g  in  (he  forenoon, 
at  brother  Lewis's.     Ai.fter  I    had    done    speakuig,  a 


LIKE    OF    JOHN  COLBT.  67 

Calvin  Baptist  opposed  me  very  sharply,  because  I 
called  on  sinners  to  repent.  The  people  seemed 
ranch  displeased  with  the  old  man  for  his  conduct 
towards  me  ;  and  many  of  ihem  left  his  meeting  in 
the  afternoon,  and  followed  me  to  Fredrick-Town.  I 
there  met  a  large  assembly  of  people,  who  appeared 
extremely  solemn,  and  many  of  them  deeply  affec- 
ted. My  intention  was,  to  leave  the  place  the  next 
day  ;  but  the  people  insisted  on  my  staying  longer  ; 
and  were  very  anxious  to  have  me  settle  with  them. 
Monday  and  Tuesday  I  spent  in  visiting  the  p^^ople 
from  house  to  house  ;  I  believe  1  went  to  every  house 
in  the  town.  Tuesday  evening,  I  preached  at  Mr 
Colver's,  a  little  out  o(  town.  Wednesday,  at  four 
o'clock,  P.  M.  I  appointed  to  preach  to  the  young 
people.  V/ednesday  morning,  I  arose  early,  and 
w^ent  to  Owl  Creek,  about  ten  milei  ;  and  at  eight 
o'clock,  A.  M.  preached  at  brother  Leonard's.  At 
eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  preached  at  Mr  Vernon's.  I 
then  returned  to  Fredrick-Town  ;  and  at  two  o'clock, 
p.  M.  aitended  a  meeting  where  a  methodisi  bro'her 
preached.  At  four  o'clock,  P.  M.  1  fulfilled  my  ap- 
pointment to  the  youtl).  A  large  number  of  people 
gathered,  and  greater  solemnity  I  never  saw  on  the 
minds  of  a  congregation.  The  young  people  seemed 
deeply  affected  ;  and  ihe  most  of  them  ^aid,  ihey  were 
resolved  no  longer  to  neglect  the  great  salvation.  I 
had  a  hope  that  some  of  them  experienced  the  par- 
doning love  of  God. 

May  10th,  I  left  Fredrick-Town,  and  steered  for 
the  wilderness.  After  travelling  fifteen  or  twenty 
miles,  I  came  to  Greenstown,  an  Indi-an  settlement. 
From  thence,  I  travelled  nine  miles,  and  camo  to  Je- 
rome, another  Indian  settlement.  At  this  place,  I 
tarried  all  night.  [  saw  nothing  to  eat  exceptuig  that 
one  old  squaw  roasted  two  or  three  small  potatoes, 
and  ate  them  for  her  supper.  I  tied  my  horse  to  a 
tree.     At  bed-time,  the  Indians    wrapped   themselves 


G8  LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBY. 

in  tlipir  blankets,  and  lay  down  on  the  ground.  I 
took  my  cliance  amons  tliem  ;  \vrnpy)ed  me  in  my 
great  coat ;  put  my  saddle-bngs  for  a  pillow,  and  made 
out  very  well.  I'he  guns,  bows  and  arrows,  toma- 
hawks and  knives,  were  plenty  all  round  the  wigwam  ; 
yet  1  rested  securely.  —  Next  morning,  1  started  very 
early,  and  expected  to  lie  in  the  woods  that  night  ; 
it  was  about  fifty  miles  through  the  wdderness.  1 
travelled  thirty-six  miles,  when  ni^ht  overtook  me  ; 
and,  to  my  unspeakable  joy  and  surprise,  I  came  to  a 
house,  \There  a  family  had,  a  few  days  before  moved 
in.  Ihis  was  in  the  westerly  part  of  what  was  call- 
ed Connecticut  Reserve  ;  or  what  is  more  commonly 
called,  New  Connecticut,  under  the  government  of 
the  State  of  Ohio.  The  next  day,  I  went  onward, 
and  crossed  the  Chickogger  and  was  passing  through 
Stow,  in  Portage  county  And  ii  struck  my  mind, 
that  I  should  soon  hear  of  a  funeral.  I  went  on  a 
short  distance,  and  overtook  a  wonian.  I  asked  tier, 
if  she  was  going  to  a  meeting?  ^he  answered,  yes. 
I  then  asked,  if  it  was  a  funeral? — She  said,  yes.  I 
fell  somewhat  surprised  at  the  fact  notwithstanding  I 
had  so  lately  predicted  it  from  a  sense  of  my  own 
feelinsrs.  1  then  turned  aside,  and  attended  the  fu- 
neral.  It  was  a  woman,  aged  sixty-four ;  and  it  was 
thought  that  she  had  made  a  haj)py  and  gainful  change. 
The  next  day,  being  the  Sabbath,  I  turned  and  atten- 
ded a  meeting  m  the  same  neighborhood,  at  ih^  house 
of  a  Mr  Butler,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  1  sp;.ke  from 
]Mati.  xxiv.  44.  After  meeting,  I  rode  15  miles  lo 
Reverma,  to  attend  a  meeting.  But  there  was  a  mis- 
under'^tanding  respecting  the  a|)pointmcnt,  and  of 
course  there  was  no  gathering  in  that  place. 

May  14ih,  1  went  to  Warren.  I  found  a  baptist 
church  in  the  place  ;  but  at  that  time,  they  did  not 
appear  to  have  much  light  in  their  dwellings 

May  15ih,  I  went  to  lirookfield,  Trumbull    county, 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  69 

nrid  preached  in  the    evening  at  Mr  Jones's    dwelling 
house. 

I  was  in  tlie  state  of  Ohio,  nearly  two  months,  and 
for  the  most  part,  had  good  times.  The  people  in 
general,  used  me  with  great  hospiiality,  some  few  in- 
stances excepted  ;  one  only  of  which  1  will  mention. 
I  travelled  one  morning  till  a  late  hour,  and  being 
tired  and  faint,  1  called  at  a  house,  where  a  large  fam- 
ily of  Methodists  lived,  and  asked  the  man  of  the  house, 
if  {  could  have  my  horse  fed  and  breakfast  with  him. 
He  ansv.'ered,  no.  However,  with  much  solicitation, 
I  prevailed  on  him  to  give  my  horse  a  little  corn, 
(for  he  had  hundreds  of  bushels  in  his  cribs.)  I  then 
went  into  the  house,  and  asked  the  w^oman  if  she 
would  please  to  get  me  some  breakfast.  She  very 
pointedly  told  me  she  would  not.  I  then  went  out 
to  my  horse,  and  "being  very  hungry,  I  concluded  I 
I  would  take  a  part  with  him.  So  I  took  a  handful  of 
the  corn  and  began  to  eat.  After  which,  I  took  a 
bock  from  my  saddle  bagSj  and  concluded  I  would 
compose  my  mind  ;  believing  that  he  who  fed  the  ra- 
vens, would  take  care  of  me.  The  woman  presently 
began  lo  feel  ilie  lashes  of  conscience,  prepared  me 
breakfast,  and  came  out  and  invited  me  in.  I  accep- 
ted the  invitation,  and  after  I  had  eaten,  I  kneeled 
down  and  prayed  with  the  family.  I  then  suBg  a  fare- 
well hymn  ;  and  while  singing,  I  took  my  leave  of 
them,  by  giving  each  one  my  hand.  When  I  took 
hold  of  die  woman's  hand,  her  heart  burst,  and  a  flood 
of  tears  rolled  down  her  cheeks.  So  I  left  them  and 
went  my  way. 

The  Ohio  is  a  delightfid  country  ;  the  soil  rich  and 
fertile  ;  and  if  the  world  should  stand,  it  will  doubt- 
less become  a  very  important  part  of  the  globe.  It  is 
thought  by  most  people,  who  are  acquainted  with  the 
country,  that  it  has  been  inhabited  before.  And  I 
think  that  the  ruins  of  ancient  forts,  entrenchments 
and  mounds,  which  are  so  plain  to  be  seen,  very  much 


To  LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLBY. 

favor  the  idea  ;  although  no  account  can  be  found  ei- 
ther iunnnf^  christians  or  the  natives,  when,  or  by 
viiorn  'hese  niijjhly  things  were  accomphshed.  ISlay 
16  th,  I  h'ft  the  njiin,  and  crossed  the  hne  into  l^enn- 
sylvania.  I  steered  for  Lake  J^rie;  travelled  ten  miles 
and  stopped  at  a  brother  INIorford's.  He  gave  no- 
tice to  his  neighbors,  the  people  collected,  and  I 
preached  to  them  that  evening.  Next  day,  I  went  to 
Meadville,  on  French  Creek,  and  from  thence  to  \Va- 
terford,  formerly  known  by  the  name  of  J^aboefF,  and 
situated  about  fifteen  miles  from  the  J>ake. 

Sabbath  day,  May  20'Lh;  I  aiose  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  went  to  Erie,  a  considerable  town  lying  on 
the  shore  of  the  lake  of  that  name.  I  had  heard 
much  of  this  town,  as  being  a  noted  place  for  wick- 
edness. By  some,  by  way  of  com|)arison  it  was 
called  Sodom.  I  was  advised  by  christian  friends 
not  to  go  there,  there  being  no  religious  society  in  the 
town.  They  likewise  told  me  that  the  people  would 
not  hear  me ;  and  Was  credibly  informed  that  the 
people  had  previously  fallen  into  a  phrenzy,  burnt  the 
bible,  and  sprinkled  the  ashes  with  whiskey!  I  how- 
ever made  an  a|)pointment,  and  the  people  had  sea- 
sonable notice.  At  the  hour  the  meeting  was  to  be- 
gin, I  walked  through  the  main  street,  nearly  half  a 
mile,  with  my  hat  off,  singing  the  judgement  hymn, 
hoping  thereby  to  excite  their  attention.  I  then  went 
to  the  place  appointed  ;  and  after  wailing  an  hour  and 
a  half,  i  began  service.  My  audience  consisted  of 
three  men,  three  women,  and  four  children.  Ihere 
were  also  a  few  more  who  came  in  before  I  had  quite 
done.  The  Lord  have  mercy  on  the  people  of  Erie, 
if  there  is  any  mercy  for  thctn.  After  meeting,  I  left 
the  town,  being  resolved  not  to  sleep  in  the  place.  I 
went  fourteen  miles  down  the  Lake,  preached  in  the 
evening  at  Mr  Borget's.  Then  leaving  Pennsylvania, 
I  came  into  the  State  of  New  York,  and  entered  into 
what  is  called  the  Holland-Purchase.     I  thence  steer- 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBT.  71 

ed  for  Buffalo,  which  is  at  the  lower  end  of  the 
Lake.  I  was  much  fatigued  when  I  got  there  ;  trav- 
elling mostly  on  the  Lake  shore,  where  it  was  but  ve- 
ry thinly  inhabited. 

May  23d,  1  sat  off  from  Black-Rock  (or  Buffalo,) 
at  the  outlet  of  the  Lake,  to  go  to  Niagara  Falls.  Af- 
ter travelling  six  miles,  I  called  at  a  house,  to  enquire 
the  way.  The  woman  asked  me  if  I  was  a  preacher. 
I  told  her  I  was.  Well,  said  she,  my  son  died  to- 
day, at  12  o'clock,  and  I  want  you  to  stop,  to  attend 
his  funeral  and  preach  a  sermon.  For,  continued 
she,  there  is  no  minister  on  this  side  of  the  river,  any 
where  near.  I  intended  to  have  sent  over  into  Upper 
Canada  for  one  ;  but  the  river  is  three  miles  wide, 
and  tlie  wind  blows  so  hard  they  are  afraid  to  cross. 
I  told  her  I  would  stop.  The  next  day,  we  attended 
to  that  solemnity".  Meeting  began  at  12  o'clock.  I 
spake  from  Isaiah  xxxviii.  41.  After  the  closing  of 
this  solenm  scene  I  proceeded  on  my  journey,  and 
went  down  the  river  till  I  came  to  the  Falls.  I  here 
beheld  one  of  the  greatest  curiosities  in  nature.  The 
river  at  this  place  is  said  to  be  742  yards  wide.  The 
water  falls  15;)  feet*  perpendicular  height.  I  de- 
scended on  a  ladder,  eighty  feet,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  distance,  was  not  so  steep  but  that  I  could  walk 
down.  I  there  beheld  with  astonisoment  the  majes- 
tic scene!  While  beholding  I  was  struck  with  a  deep 
and  awful  sense  of  the  majesty  of  Him  who  made 
heaven  and  earth,,  and  the  seas,  and  the  fountains  of 
water.  I  can  truly  say,  I  had  an  excellent  meeting, 
and  sweet  communion,  while  standing  below  the  falls, 
though  no  mortal  was  near  me.  My  text  was,  the 
cxviith  Psalm.     I  there  enjoyed  a  happy  season. 

May  25th,  I  preached  in  the  village  situated  on  the 
bank  of  the  river,  within  forty  rods  of  the  Falls.  The 
Lord  blessed  the  people  who  heard  the  word,  and  sev- 

*  Others  say  1G5. 


72  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBT. 

eral  persons  were  awakened.  I  was  informed  lliat  it 
was  the  fourth  sermon  tliat  was  ever  preached  in  tliat 
place. 

■May  27th,  being  Sabbath,  I  preached  to  a  large 
number  o(  people  in  a  rope-walk.  1  enjoyed  more 
than  usual  liberty.  In  the  afternoon,  1  spake  from 
Gen.  xxiv.  19.  The  whole  assembly  appeared  un- 
commonly solemn  ;  and  many  of  them  were  deeply 
convicted.  One  young  man  arose,  and  confessed 
what  the  Lord  had  done  for  his  soul,  and  made  a  pub- 
lic acknowledgment  to  his  wife,  and  all  the  assembly. 
I  was  at  his  house  after  meeting,  and  he  appeared  to 
be  clothed,  and  in  his  right  mind,  and  happy  in  the 
Lord.  1  also  conversed  with  several  young  people, 
who  appeared  as  though  tbey  bad  just  awoke  out  of 
sleep.'  In  short,  it  was  a  precious  season,  which  will 
no  doubt  be  had  by  many  in  everlasting  remembrance. 
The  people  entreated  me  in  a  most  afiecting  manner, 
to  abide  there,  and  spend  my  days  with  them.  This 
I  could  not  consent  to  ;  but  hope  the  Lord  of  the  har- 
vest will  send  them  a  humble  and  laiihful  minister. 

JVlay  29th,  I  left  the  Falls  and  travelled  thirty  miles 
eastward  to  what  is  called  the  Slayton  settlement. 
This  settlement  was  large,  and  the  inhabitants  ap- 
peared respectable  ;  but  tbey  had  but  little  or  no 
preaching.  I  attended  a  meeting  with  them  in  the 
evening,  which  I  hope  was  attended  with  some  good 
effect.  From  thence  I  went  to  Batavia,  and  crossed 
the  Gennesee  river  ;  passing  through  Avon  and  Lima, 
lo  Bloomfield. 

May  oOih,  in  the  evening,  I  preached  in  Bloomfield. 
This  is  a  handsome  and  thickly  settled  town.  They 
have  two  meeting-houses,  owned  by  congregational- 
ists.  There  is  also  another  church  of  the  same  order 
in  the  town;  besides  one  or  two  baptist  cburches,  and 
several  classes  of  methodists. 

June  1st-  I  went  to  Canandaigua,  Ontario  county, 
and  the  next  day  preached  in  that  township,  about  two 
miles  from  the  villasre. 


■^ 


LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBY,  -^-y  73 

June  3(1,  I  preached  in  I'armington,  which  joins 
Canandaigna.  There  I  found  a  large  church  of  bap- 
tists. 

June  5th,  I  went  to  Gorhaoi;  and  in  (he  evening 
preached  at  brother  iSalcom's.  'ihere  was  a  large 
and  flourishing  baptist  church  in  that  place,  compos- 
ed chiefly  of  young  people.  I  was  informed  that 
there  were  as  many  as  thirty  persons  iu  the  churcli, 
under  seventeen  years  of  age. 

June  6th,  I  went  to  Aurelius,  Kauga  county.  In 
this  town,  there  was  a  baptist  church,  consisting  of 
as  many  as  three  hundred  and  fifty  members.  In  the 
town  of  Mentz,  adjoining  Aurelius,  there  had  been  a 
very  glorious  reformation,  the  winter  before,  and  still 
continued  to  spread.  From  thence  I  travelled  thro' 
Camelius,  where_  I  saw  the  melancholy  effects  of  a 
tremendous  thunder  storm  and  hurricane,  which  had 
happened  on  the  evening  of  the  3d  of  June.  Many 
of  the  buildings  on  the  streets  through  which  I  pass- 
ed, were  blown  down;  others  were  unroofed.  The 
most  valuable  lots  of  pine  limber  laid  in  ruin.  Cat- 
tle were  killed,  by  the  falling  of  trees  on  every  hand. 
The  inhabitants  were  much  alarmed  in  the  time  of 
this  frightful  scene.  Many  thought  it  was  the  com- 
mencement of  the  great  and  terrible  day  of  the  Lord. 
By  the  successive  flashes  of  lightning,  it  appeared  as 
if  the  world  was  all  on  fire;  but,  remarkable  to  relate, 
no  person  was  killed.  In  Litchfield  a  meeting-house 
was  burnt  to  ashes  by  lightning  in  the  same  storm. 

I  went  from  thence  to  Utica;  and  on  the  lOth  of 
June,  being  Sabbath  d»y,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  the 
baptist  meeting-house.  The  people  were  Welch,  and 
the  minster  was  also  a  Welchman.  In  the  forenoon, 
he  spake  in  his  own  tongue.  In  the  afternoon,  at  2 
o'clock,  and  again  at  six.,  I  apake  to  a  very  large  as- 
sembly in  the  same  place.  There  are  several  socie- 
ties, of  different  denominations  in  Utica. 

June  11th,  I  left  Utica;  and  following  the  turnpike 
7 


74  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

\vbicl)  leads  to  Albany,  I  came  to  Herkimer,  where  a 
remarkable  reformation  had  lately  taken  place,  through 
ihe  iiistrmnentality  of  a  young  wonian,  who  was  the 
daugbicr  of  a  professed  deist.  This  young  woman 
being  convicted  by  the  Hpiritof  the  J-ord,  believed  in 
Christ;  and  immediately  made  a  public  declaration  of 
the  astonishing  goodness  of  God  to  her  soul.  In  a 
short  time  after,  she  followed  her  Lord  and  Master  m 
vhe  ordinance  of  baptism.  While  at  the  water,  she 
in  a  most  affecting  manner,  invited  her  young  com- 
])anions  to  forsake  their  vain  pursuits  and  delights,  and 
seek,  with  her,  that  crown  of  righteousness,  which 
fadeth  not  away.  Her  words  had  a  lasting  impress- 
ion on  the  minds  of  the  youth;  and  the  reformation 
soon  began  to  spread.  1  was  informed  that  fifty  or 
sixty  had  been  brought  to  rejoice  in  the  new  creation, 
or  the  love  of  God  in  their  souls.  Seven  in  the  fam- 
ily to  which  the  young  woman  belonged  were  hope- 
fully converted;  her  father,  for  one  among  the  rest, 
has  become  a  very  pious  man,  and  shows  great  re- 
spect for  the  bible.  Before  his  conversion  he  would 
not  have  a  bible  in  his  house;  but  he  now  has  seven  ; 
(every  convert  must  have  a  bible.) 

Leaving  Herkimer,  I  came  to  the  little  falls,  on  the 
Mohawk  river  ;  and  from  thence,  to  the  Saratoga 
Springs.  June  14th,  at  evening,  I  preached  at  the 
village  near  the  springs  in  the  house  of  brother  Cady. 
And  as  I  had  not  enjoyed  my  health,  since  I  was  sick 
in  Ohio,  I  concluded  to  tarry  a  few  days,  and  make 
use  of  those  waters,  hoping  that  I  might  thereby  re- 
cover my  health. 

June  Hti),  being  Sabbath,  I  preached  in  the  bap- 
tist meeting  house,  two  miles  south  of  the  Springs. — 
The  assembly  was  large,  composed  chiefly  of  young 
people;  and  being  requested  I  directed  my  discourse 
particularly  to  the  youth,  who  paid  great  attention  to 
The  word.  Universal  solemnity  appeared  on  the  coun- 
tenances of  the  whole  congregation.     At  the  close  of 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  /» 

the  meeting,  Elder  Langworthj,  the  minister  of  the 
place  requested  the  people  to  make  a  contribution  for 
me.  I  arose  and  desired  them  to  desist,  they  there- 
fore pioceeded  no  further.  For  I  was  resolved  they 
should  not  have  it  to  say,  I  came  for  their  money. — 
At  six  o'clock  I  preached  at  i»rother  Denty's,  one 
mile  west  of  the  springs.  Monday  evening  1  held  a 
meeting  in  the  village  near  the  springs,  in  a  school- 
house.  Some  persons  seemed  much  affected  under 
the  word;  and  I  prayed  earnestly  that  the  Lord  would 
revive  his  work  in  that  place. 

June  20th,  I  went  about  eight  or  ten  miles,  to  visit 
what  is  called  the  first  baptist  church  in  Saratoga,  and 
preached  in  the  evening  to  the  people.  But  there  was 
but  little  attention  paid  by  the  unconverted;  and  there 
appeared  to  be_  little  religion  in  exercise  among  pro- 
fessors. 

June  21st,  I  pursued  my  journey,  crossed  North 
River  at  Fort  Miller,  and  thence  to  Fort  Edward  ; 
and  so  on  to  Sandy-Hill;  and  from  thence  to  Fort 
Ann.  I  tarried  that  night  at  Moses  Baxter's  and  had 
a  profitable  visit.  From  thence  I  went  to  Granville; 
and  crossing  into  Vermont,  1  passed  through  Portney, 
Cafelton,  Rutland  and  Claredon;  crossed  the  Green 
Mountains  ;  travelled  through  Soesberry,  Plymouth 
and  Redding;  and  so  onto  Windsor.  June  25th,  be- 
ing Sabbath,  I  preached  at  Windsor.  And  on  the 
day  following,  I  went  to  Springfield.  The  next  day  I 
went  to  Rockingham,  to  see  how  the  brethren  did 
there.  I  visited  several  families,  and  found  them  some 
engaged  in  religion.  The  sam'?  night,  I  returned  to 
Springfield;  and  the  next  day,  sat  out  to  go  to  Wind- 
sor, and  went  as  far  as  Weathersfield;  where  I  stop- 
ped and  preached  at  12  o'clock,  and  had  a  re- 
freshing time  with  the  young  converts;  for  the  Lord 
had  raised  up  a  church  in  that  place,  while  I  had  been 
gone  to  Ohio.  I  attended  a  meeting,  as  I  went  on, 
in  the  same  neighborhood;  and  had  reason  to  believe 


76  LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLBY. 

that  my  visit  at  that  time  was  not  wholly  lost.  I  call- 
ed at  a  door  to  enquire  the  way  to  ihe  house  where 
the  meeting  was  held.  A  young  woman  came  to  the 
door,  and  gave  me  direction.  I'o  whom  I  said, 
"young  woman,  prepare  for  deaths  These  words 
followed  her  with  a  lasting  impression;  and  in  about 
three  weeks,  she  was  converted,  and  is  now  happy  in 
the  Lord.  After  meeting  I  went  to  Windsor;  and  at 
six  o'clock  I  attended  a  meeting  at  brother  'J  own's. 
I  preached  in  this  place  several  times  as  I  went  on  the 
fall  before.  A  reformation  had  then  begun,  and  the 
work  continued  through  the  winter.  1  understood 
there  had  been  two  hundred  and  fifty  souls  brought  in- 
to the  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God.  The  next  day  I 
visited  the  people  from  house  to  house. 

June  29ih,  1  attended  conference  with  the  brethren 
at  Doctor  Winslovv's;  where  thirty  or  forty  spoke  of 
the  goodness  of  God;  a  number  told  their  experience 
and  offered  themselves  for  baptism. 

June  30th,  I  visited  the  prisoners  in  the  State  Pris- 
on at   Windsor. 

July  1st,  being  Sabbath,  I  preached  at  the  east 
school-house,  at  8  o'clock  A.  M. ;  I  then  went  to  the 
meeting-house,  and  heard  two  short  sermons  deliver- 
ed by  a  baptist  minister.  When  he  ended,  I  deliver- 
ed a  lengthy  exhortation;  after  which  the  meeting  was 
dismissed.  I  then  went  one  mile  and  attended  a  meet- 
ing at  a  school  house,  at  4  o'clock  P.  JNJ.  1  then 
went  to  brother  T  own's  and  preached  at  6  o'clock 
P.  M.  And  to  the  praise  of  God  be  it  spoken,  we 
had  a  good  time,  through  the  day  and  evening,  I  could 
say  of  a  truth  that  the  Lord  was  near.  Sinners  were 
alarmed;  mourners  w-ere  enquiring  the  way  to  Zion, 
and  saints  were  rejoicing  in  it. 

July  2d,  I  left  Windsor,  and  started  for  home.  I 
travelled  as  far  as  Wfite  River,  and  stayed  that  niglit 
at  brother  Udil's,  where  I  attended  a  meeting  the  lall 
before  as  I  went  on.     But  found  that  the  old  man  had 


LIFK    OF    JOHN  COLBY.  77 

gone  to  his  long  home.  He  died  of  the  spotted  fever. 
A  daughter  of  his  lay  sick  with  the  same  disorder  ; 
one  with  whom  I  had  moch  conversation,  the  fall  be- 
fore, concerning  the  salvation  of  her  soul.  She  had 
lain  sick  three  months;  and  the  most  part  of  ihe  time 
speechless.  In  the  midst  of  her  sickness,  when  earih- 
\y  physicians  and  human  exertions  were  baffled  ;  the 
great  Physician  of  the  soul  and  body  undertook  her 
cause;  and  first  delivered  her  soul;  after  which  her 
body  began  to  revive.  In  a  low  whisper,  she  told  me 
she  was  "  willing  to  stay,  and  ready  to  go.^^  Christ 
was  precious  to  her,  and  she  was  precious  to  him. 

I  then  went  on  through  Hartford,  Norwich,  Straff- 
ord, Vershire,  and  Corinth,  to  Topsham;  where  I 
stopped  and  preached,  near  Capt.  Putnam's.  From 
thence  1  travelled  through  Grotnn,  Peacham,  Danville, 
and  Wheelock,-to  Billy  mead. 

July  6th,  I  arrived  at  my  father's  house  greatly  re- 
joiced to  find  my  friends  all  alive  and  well.  I  had 
been  gone  from  home  about  eight  months,  and  had 
travelled  between  three  and  four  thousand  miles.  Af- 
ter I  left  my  acquaintances  in  Vermont,  I  scarcely  saw 
a  person  I  ever  saw  before;  neither  had  I  any  intelli- 
gence from  my  friends  at  Billymead,  until  the  day  be- 
lore  I  arrived  home.  When  I  take  a  retrospective 
view  of  my  journey,  and  consider  the  many  dangers 
I  passed  through  in  peribrming  it,  I  am  filled  with  sol- 
emn gratitude  to  God's  indtilgent  hand,  which  led  and 
protected  me  through  the  same.  I  often  passed  thio' 
lari;,e  tracts  of  wilderness,  where  some  have  been  de- 
stroyed by  wild  beasts.  Others  have  been  lost,  or 
perished  with  hunger.  Others  killed  accidentally  by 
the  fall  of  trees.  Some  robbed  and  murdered,  and 
thrown  into  rivers.  Others  waylayed,  and  shot  by 
robbers,  while  on  their  passage.  Some  have  indeed 
been  frozen  to  death  on  the  nwuntains,  while  others 
have  been  accidentally  drowned  in  the  ri^-'ers  and  lakes; 
shot  and  tomahawked,  or  taken  prisoners  by  the  In- 
*7 


73  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

dians;  wWih  I  have  been  preserved  on  my  passac;e 
throu2;li  the  same  clangers,  and  have  received  no  [wirm. 
Oh!  "  what  sliall  1  render  lo  the  Lord,  for  all  his  ben- 
efits towards  me  ?  1  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation, 
and  call  upon  the  Lord;  I  will  pay  my  vows  that  I 
have  vowed  unto  the  Lord,  now  in  the  presence  of 
his  people." 

July  7th,  I  attended  meeting  at  the  house  of  my  el- 
dest brother,  who  lives  in  the  edge  of  J5urk.  The 
next  day,  being  J^abbath,  I  attended  meeting  at  a 
school  house,  in  l^illymead,  where  the  brethren  usually 
meet.  Curiosity,  I  expect,  led  a  huge  number  to  at- 
tend; some  from  one  view,  and  some  from  another. 
Having  been  raised  up  in  that  place,  it  is  prc)bable 
some  were  ready  to  say,  "  his  hither  and  mother  we 
know,  and  his  brethren  and  sisters  are  with  us  ;  who 
can  he  be  ?"  Others,  doubtless,  anxious  to  hear  a- 
bout  the  country  where  I  had  been  travelling;  or  to 
hear  from  their  friends  who  reside  in  it,  flocked  to  the 
meeting.  While  a  small  number  of  the  followers  of 
Christ,  collected  to  see  and  hear  their  brother,  who 
had  been  so  long  absent;  hoping  to  have  their  souls 
refreshed,  by  hearing  good  news  from  a  far  country. 
However,  we  had  a  solemn,  and  I  trust,  a  profiiahle 
meeting.  On  Tuesday  following,  I  preached  at  broth- 
er Fisk's,  and  on  Wednesday,  1  preached  at  brother 
Sandbnrn's,  on  what  is  called  the  t^outh  Ridge.  On 
Saturday,  at  brother  Daniel  Colby's.  One  young  man 
was  baptized. 

July  15th,  being  Sabbath,  I  preached  at  Burk  Cen- 
ter, wlu?re  a  large  and  attentive  assembly  collected. — 
My  appointment  in  the  afternoon,  was  to  speak  to  the 
youth.  I  had  a  good  degree  of  liberty  through  the 
day;  and  believe  the  opportunity  was  not  altogether 
in  vain.  In  the  afternoon,  through  bodily  infirmity,  I 
felt  my  strength  fail,  for  I  had  not  seen  a  well  day  since 
my  illness  in  Ohio.  And  I  triought,  without  some- 
thing favorable  to  my  health  should  take  place  that  my 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBT.  '79 

days  on  earth  would  soon  be  numbered.  However,  I 
think  I  did  not  feel  anxious  either  to  live  or  die  ; 
but  desired  the  will  of  the  Lord  might  be  done. 

July  18th,  I  attended  meeting  at  brother  Sand- 
born's,  South  Ridge.  It  was  the  most  solemn,  con- 
vincing, and  refreshing  time  I  had  seen  since  I  re- 
turned home. 

July  21st,  [attended  conference  at  Wheelock,  On- 
ly a  few  met,  and  they  were  very  remiss. 

July  22d,  being  iSabbath,  I  preached  in  the  fore- 
noon at  W  heelock  meeting-house;  and  in  the  after- 
noon, preached  at  Sheffield,  where  I  met  a  pre^  ious 
congregation  in  a  barn.  I  spake  from  1.  Pet.  i.  24. 
I'he  brethren  were  much  engaged  ;  several  who  had 
been  lately  converted,  arose  in  the  meeting,  and 
spake  with  life  and  power.  It  was  really  a  rijoicing 
time  with  saints,  and  a  mourning  and  lamenting  time 
with  sinners.  At  five  o'clock,  P.  M,  same  day,  I 
preached  again  at  Wheelock. 

July  24tli,  brother  H anion,  a  young  preacher  who 
had  been  to  Canada,  came  to  my  father's.  I  was 
much  rejoiced  at  seeing  him  ;  and  especially  to  hear 
thai  the  work  of  the  Lord  was  going  on  in  the  j)lace 
where  lie  liad  been.  1  he  same  afternoon,  we  went 
to  Burk  ;  and  that  night,  and  the  next  morning,  visit- 
ed a  number  of  families,  and  found  many  seeking  af- 
ter religion. — The  same  day,  we  returned  to  Billy- 
mead,  and  attended  a  meeiing  at  South  Ridge  ;  we 
had  a  very  solemn  time.  Several  professers,  who  had 
been  in  a  lifeless  condition,  confessed  their  backslid- 
ings,  and  returned  to  tlie  Lord*  The  next  day  we 
attended  meeting  at  Billymead,  in  a  log  school  house 
at  the  upper  end  of  the  town. 

July  27ih,  we  went  to  Burk  Center  again,  and  at- 
tended a  meeting. 

July  2Sth,  brother  Ilamon  left  me;  and  I  returned 
to  Billymead  and  attended  church  meeting. 

June  29tb,  being  Sabbath,  I  attended  a  meeting  of 


80  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

worship  in  the  usual  place.  A  very  large  number  of 
people  were  present.  This  was  indeed  a  very  glori- 
ous season.  1  enjoyed  great  liberty  in  speaking  ;  and 
in  the  course  of  the  day,  there  were  thirty-five  wit- 
nesses who  came  forward  and  spoke  for  the  Lord. 

August  1st,  I  attended  meeting  at  brother  Sand- 
bourn's,  South  Ilidge.  Two  were  that  day  struck 
under  conviction  ;  and  were  hopefully  converted 
within  a  few  days  after.  The  Thursday  following  I 
attended  a  funeral  in  liurk.  This  was  a  very  solemn 
time.  While  I  was  speaking,  I  was  so  overcome 
through  infirmity  of  body,  that  I  had  hard  work  to  fin- 
ish my  message.  From  this  1  went  home  sick  ;  but 
so  far  recovered  my  health,  that  on  the  Saturday  fol- 
lowing, I  rode  to  Wheelock  ;  and  on  the  Sabbath 
preached  at  Sheffield.  On  Monday  I  returned  to 
Wheelock,  and  visited  from  place  to  place  ;  found  a 
number  of  young  people  under  deep  conviction.  On 
Tuesday,  returned  to  Billymead,  and  attended  church 
meeting.  Wednesday,  I  met  with  the  people  at 
South  Kidge.  Thursday,  I  went  to  Eurk  ;  attended 
a  conference,  and  had  a  good  time.  One  woman  ac- 
knowledged what  the  Lord  had  done  for  her  soul, 
and  offered  herself  for  baptism.  Friday,  I  preached 
again  at  the  log  school  house  in  Billymead  ;  two  or 
three  converts,  spake  of  the  goodness  of  God  ;  and  a 
few  prodigals  returned  to  their  Father's  house.  Sat- 
urday, I  preached  at  Lyndon,  (Pudding  Hill.)  A 
goodly  number  of  people  attended  ;  a  great  solemnity 
rested  on  the  congregation  ;  and  many  of  the  youth 
were  much  afi'ecied. 

August  12th,  Sabbaih  day,  1  attended  a  meeting  at 
Billymead.  A  very  large  concourse  of  people  atten- 
ded. I  preached  a  short  sermon,  in  the  forenoon  ; 
then  went  to  the  water  and  baptized  one  brother.  Af- 
ter returning  to  the  house  of  worship,  I  spake  a  (ew 
minutes  ;  and  then  gave  place  to  the  brethren,  who 
seemed  like  bottles  filled  with  new  wine.     Fifty-seven 


LIFE    OFJOHN   COLBY.  81 

spoke,  in  the  course  of  the  meeting,  and  testified  of 
the  goodness  of  God  most  feehngly.  Six  or  eight 
backsliders  confessed  their  wanderings,  and  acknowl- 
edged tliey  liad  found  a  famine  in  the  land.  Besides 
these,  several  otliers  spake  of  what  the  Lord  had  done 
for  their  souls  ;  and  manifested  that  they  had  a  strong 
desire  to  seek  and  serve  him  all  their  days. 

August  14th,  I  held  meeting  at  Mr  Cushing's  in 
Burk  ;  and  the  work  of  the  Lord,  which  had  been 
progressively  going  on,  though  much  covered  up, 
made  a  more  visible  appearance.  Three  souls  were 
brought  into  the  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God.  Three 
or  four  more  obtained  a  hope,  though  not  so  clear. 
Towards  the  close  of  the  meeting,  I  kneeled  down  to 
pray  ;  when  about  a  dozen  young  people  fell  on  their 
knees  with  me.  This  strange  sight  very  much  en- 
raged the  spirit  of  opposition.  Theopposers  present, 
finding  themselves  unable  to  withstand  the  work  alone, 
immediately  made  application  to  a  number  of  their 
companions,  who  were  collected  at  a  store,  about  an 
hundred  rods  distance.  These  came  to  their  assist- 
ance ;  some  of  them  half  drunk  ;  and  I  expect  their 
intention  was  to  have  broken  up  the  meeting.  But 
their  master  deceived  them  ;  their  courage  failed  :and 
their  efforts  were  feeble  and  fruitless.  The  next 
day  I  went  to  Billymead,  where  I  attended  a  meeting 
at  South  Ridge.  The  day  following,  I  went  to  ^•\  hee- 
lock,  met  a  precious  number  of  people  ;  and  found 
that  the  Lord  was  carrying  on  his  work  in  that  place. 
Friday,  I  returned  to  Billymead,  and  attended  meet- 
ing at  brother  Fisk's. 

August  19th,  being  the  Sabbath,  I  attended  meeting 
at  the  usual  place  ;  and  found  the  work  of  the  Lord 
in  a  flourishing  state. — The  people  flocked  in  multi- 
tudes, from  every  quarter,  to  hear  the  word,  ]3ack- 
sliriers  came  out  froin  Babylon  ;  left  the  den  of  lions, 
and  mountain  of  leopards  ;  and  came  like  those  an- 
ciently flying   to  the   city   of  refuge.     Sinners  were 


83  LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBY. 

crying  for  mercy  ;  others  confessing  what  God  Iiad 
done  lor  their  souls.  'I'his  was  a  blessed  day  to  tne  ; 
for  1  had  long  waited  with  longing  eyes,  to  see  the 
salvation  ofCiod  in  this  place  ;  and  could  ado[)i  the 
language  of  good  old  Simeon. 

My  appointmen's,  through  that  week  were  as  fol- 
lows, viz.  Tuesday,  at  brother  Daniel  Colby's  ;  where 
I  baptized  four  young  people.  Wednesday,  at  Burk  ; 
Thursday,  at  \\  heelock  ;  Friday  at  Curby  ;  f"^atur- 
day,  at  Hillymead;  where  I  attended  a  quarterly  meet- 
ing. Sabbath  day,  August  2Cth,  the  congregation  be- 
ing large,  we  repaired  to  a  grove,  several  preachers 
being  present.  A  brother  from  New-Ilampshirc, 
preached  in  the  forenoon,  and  I  spake  in  the  afternoon. 
It  was  a  solemn,  happy  time.  One,  like  Saul,  was 
converted  ;  and  several  were  struck  under  convic- 
tion. 

Tuesday  following,  I  attended  meeting  at  Billymead; 
Wednesday,  in  Burk  ;  Thursday,  Friday,  and  Satur. 
day,  in  W  heelock.  In  the  course  of  this  little  route, 
seven  or  eight  souls  were  hopefully  converted  ;  and 
the  prospect  of  reformation  was  still  increasing. 

Sabbath  day,  Sept.  2d,  I  returned  to  Billymead, 
and  attended  meeting  there.  Precious  souls  never 
laid  nearer  to  my  heart;  the  Lord  greatly  assisted  me 
in  speaking:  and  the  divine  power  was  gloriously  dis- 
played in  the  meeting.  On  Tuesday  evening  follow- 
ing, there  was  a  meeting  at  my  father's.  A  large 
number  of  people  attended;  but  by  some  means  or 
other,  it  was  a  dark  time.  Wednesday,  Thursday, 
and  Friday,  I  attended  meetings  in  Burk,  and  had  good 
times  Friday  night,  I  returned  home.  On  Satur- 
day, being  under  some  extraordinary  impressions  to 
go  to  a  neighboring  house,  I  went  ;  and  being  impres- 
sed, I  entered  into  conversation  with  a  young  woman 
respecting  the  state  of  her  soul.  I  asked  her  if  she 
did  not  think  it  her  duly  to  attend  to  secret  prayer. 
She  answered,  and   said,  I    am  so    wicked,  I    do  not 


LIFE   OF    JOHN    COLBY.  83 

know  as  it  is.  I  told  her  I  believed  it  to  be  her  duty; 
and  asked  her  if  she  vvouldi  attend  to  it  one  month. 
She  said  "I  am  afraid  I  shall  forget  it."  1  told  her, 
then  the  Lord  would  remind  her  of  her  duty.  She  at 
lengtii  consented  to  pray;  and  1  promised  to  pray  for 
her.  The  effect  was  glorious.  She  afterwards  in- 
formed me,  that  she  scarcely  closed  her  eyes  the  first 
night.  And  that  instead  of  forgetting  to  pray,  the 
thought  was  constantly  following  her  ;  and  in  her 
mind  from  day  to  day,  until  the  Lord  converted  her 
soul  ;  which  took  place  about  five  days  after.  She 
had  been  much  given  to  pride  ;  but  is  now  happy  in 
God  ;  warning  her  mates  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come.  This  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  marvellous  in 
our  eyes. 

August  29th,  being  Sabbath,  I  preached  at  Billy- 
mead.  Tuesday  morning,  a  man  came  after  me  to  go 
to  Lyndon,  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon  ;  but  having  a 
meeting  appointed  the  same  day  in  the  afternoon,  for 
baptism,  I  declined  going.  He  however  informed  me, 
that  the  appointment  of  the  funeral  was  at  12  o'clock  ; 
so  I  finally  concluded  to  go.  When  I  came  to  the 
house  of  mourning,  I  met  a  large  congregation  of  peo- 
ple, who  had  come  to  pay  their  last  respects  to  a 
young  man,  a  citizen  of  their  town.  I  had  formerly 
been  acquainted  with  him. — The  ballroom  and  card 
table,  had  been  the  things  he  had  most  delighted  in. 
Four  weeks  previous  to  his  death,  he  attended  his  last 
ball.  The  day  he  died,  he  manifested  that  he  was 
not  ready  to  go,  and  believed  he  should  get  well.  But 
alas!  death  could  not  wait  any  longer;  he  must  be 
dragged  away  to  the  grave.  I  was  solemnly  impresi- 
ed  while  1  spake  ;  and  it  was  a  solemn  and  ten- 
der time,  especially  with  the  youth.  My  prayer  was 
that  Ciod  would  cause  life  to  spring  out  of  this  death  ; 
viz:  that  others,  being  awakened  by  it,  might  believe 
unto  eternal  life.  After  meeting  I  returned  to  Billy- 
mead,  and  found  a  goodly  number  collected  there  ; 
we  had  a  good  time,  and  1  baptized  three. 


84  1  LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLBY. 

The  next  day,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  Buik  ;  bad 
a  precious  time,  ^-^everal  came  tor ivard  lor  tl)e  first 
time,  and  related  what  the  Lord  had  done  for  their 
souls.  One  man  in  particular,  who  had  been  as  vio- 
lent an  opposer  as  was  in  Burk,   confessed  his    faults. 

Thursday,  I  returned  to  13illymead,  attended  a  meet- 
ing at  brother  I'isk's. 

Sabbath  day,  Sep.  16th;  I  met  with  the  people  in 
Billymead  ;  and  so  many  people  gathered  that  the 
house  was  not  snfllcient  to  contain  them  ;  we  there- 
fore held  our  meeting  in  the  iiighway.  I  trust  I  can 
say,  to  the  glory  of  (jod,  the  Blessed  Jesus,  passed 
that  way  by  his  Spirit ;  tor  a  general  shock  of  divine 
power  was  experienced  through  the  congregation,  and 
the  work  of  reformation  began  to  spread  rapidly 
through  the  place.  My  prayer  was,  that  the  stone 
which  was  cut  out  of  the  mountain  without  hands, 
might  smite  the  image,  break  it  to  pieces,  become  a 
mountain,  aiid  fill  the  whole  earth. 

Tuesday  morning,  I  went  to  \\  heelock,  and  attend- 
ed a  meeting  in  the  afternoon,  and  baptized  one.  Af- 
ter meeting,  I  returned  home  ;  and  in  the  evening, 
attended  a  meeting  at  Mr.  Campbell's,  where  I  had 
the  happiness  of  seeing  two  or  three  hopefully  brought 
into  the  liberty  of  the  gospel. 

Wednesday,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  Wheelock  meet- 
ing house,  in  company  with  Elder  Farnum  and  I'^lder 
Spencer.  In  the  evening,  we  attended  meeting  at  a 
school  house. 

Thursday,  on  my  way  home,  I  held  meeting  at  Mr 
Eastman's. 

Friday,  I  met  with  the  brethren  at  South  Ridge, 
Billymead.  We  had  a  refreshing  time.  Friday  eve- 
ning, I  attended  meeting  at  the  house  of  Mr  Blake,  a 
neighbor  to  my  father.  This  was  a  happy  season. 
Five  youths  were  brought  out  of  nature's  darkness,  in- 
to God's  marvellous  light.  Several  more  were  deep- 
ly impressed  with  a  sense  of  their  lost  situation  ;  and 


LIFE   OF    JOHN    COLBY.  85 

soon  after  were  brought  into  tlie  same  liberty.  This 
meeting,  like  Paul's  meeting  at  Troas,  continued  till 
alter  the  break  of  day. 

Saturday,  I  went  to  St.  Johnsbury  ;  and  on  the 
Sabbath,  Sept.  23,  I  preached  in  the  meeting  house 
in  that  town;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  at 
Lieut,  Ladd's. 

Monday  on  my  way  home,  I  attended  meeting  at 
Lyndon.  Monday  evening,  at  Stephen  Eastman's,  in 
the  edse  of  Billymead. 

Tuesday,  I  was  called  to  attend  a  funeral  at  brother 
Streeter's.  A  child  of  his,  between  two  and  three 
years  old,  had  fallen  into  a  tub  of  water  and  drowned. 
Tuesday  evening,  I  attended  meeting  at  Elder  Buck- 
worth's.  Wednesday,  both  in  the  day  and  evening, 
I  attended  meeting  in  Burk.  Thursday  both  in  the 
day  and  evening,  at  Wheelock.  Friday  and  Friday 
night,  at  Billymead.  Saturday,  I  attended  conference 
with  the  brethren  in  that  place,  and  had  a  good  time  ; 
as  also  in  all  the  meetings  I  attended  through  the  week. 
The  power  of  God  was   manifested  in  every  meeting. 

Sabbath  day,  Sept.  30th,  I  had  a  meeting  of  wor- 
ship at  Billymead.  A  large  concourse  of  people  col- 
lected from  the  neighboring  towns,  so  that  we  were 
constrained  to  meet  in  a  field.  This  was  a  refreshing 
time.  One  young  woman  professed  to  be  converted 
in  the  meeting  ;  after  which,    1   baptized  two   others. 

October  2d,  in  the  evening,  I  attended  meeting  in 
Billymead.  The  3d  at  Burk.  Thursday  and  Thurs- 
day evening,  at  Lyndon;  where  one,  T  trust,  came  in- 
to the  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God.  Friday  night,  I 
met  a  goodly  number  at  Mr  Campbell's,  in  Billymead, 
where  we  had  a  precious  season.  Sabbath  day  evening, 
I  attended  two  meetings,  at  one  of  which,  I  solemn- 
ized a  marriage.  One  poor  widow,  whose  husband 
had  killed  himself  with  opium,  wished  me  to  pray  for 
her.  She  also  fell  upon  her  knees,  and  the  Lord  ap- 
peared for  her  soul,  and  made  her  a  happy  creature. 
8 


86  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBT. 

About  12  o''clock,  we  were  about  to  disperse;  but 
she  begged  of  us  not  to  go.  For,  said  she,  the  meet- 
ing is  but  just  begun.  1  believe  she  could  say  of  a 
truth,  "  old  things  are  passed  away;  and,  behold  ! — 
all  things  are  become  new." 

Saturday,  I  spent  the  day  in  visiting  from  house  to 
liouse;  and  a  heavenly  time  I  had.  That  day,  I  trust, 
will  never  be  forgotten  by  me.  A  little  before  night,  I 
called  into  an  house;  and  a  certain  sister  from  New 
Hampshire  (Huldah  Beedy,)  fell  in  with  me.  We 
conversed  with  the  children,  and  with  a  young  wo- 
man who  lived  there,  for  some  time.  We  then  kneel- 
ed down  and  prayed.  They  also  kneeled  and  prayed 
for  themselves.  The  young  woman  and  three  of  the 
children,  professed  to  find  the  Saviour  to  be  precious 
to  their  souls. 

October  7th,  being  Sabbath,  1  attended  meeting  in 
Billy  mead;  also  another  in  the  evening. 

Monday,  the  8th  of  October,  we  appointed  a  gen- 
eral meeting  for  all  the  brethren  in  town  to  unite  in 
one  body.  For  previous  to  this  there  had  been  two 
separate  meetings  held.  Our  intention  and  prayer  was 
to  have  them  both  consolidated  into  one  church. — 
AVe  met  at  1  o'clock,  P.  M.  and  had  an  heavenly  uni- 
ting time.  Six  came  forward,  related  their  experi- 
ence, and  were  baptized.  We  then,  at  the  water, 
all  stood  round  in  a  ring;  took  hold  of  hands,  kneeled 
down,  prayed,  and  then  parted.  So  much  was  done 
towards  an  union;  more  hereafter. 

Tuesday  night,  I  attended  meeting  at  Billymead 
Corner.  Wednesday  evening,  at  Burk,  Thursday,  at 
Wheelock,  where  I  baptized  three.  Two  others 
publicly  declared  what  the  Lord  had  done  tor  their 
souls.  I  then  went  to  Lyndon,  and  attended  a  meet- 
ing in  the  evening;  the  Lord  was  there  of  a  truth. — 
One  young  woman  professed  to  be  brought  into  gos- 
pel liberty.  I  never  saw  so  great  an  appearance  of  a 
reformation  in  Lyndon,  as  1  did  at  that  time. 


LIFE    OF    JOHN   COLBY.  87 

Friday  and  Friday  evening,  I  attended  meeting  in 
Billymead. 

Sabbatli  day,  October  14th,  I  preached  at  Lyndon, 
to  a  very  large  number  of  people;  and  found  that  ihe 
work  of  the  Lord  was  still  increasing.  Some  were 
crying  out,  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  The 
countenances  of  others  bespoke  their  sorrows;  and 
plainly  discovered  a  concern  on  their  minds  to  obtain 
pure  religion.  Our  meeting  in  the  evening  was  at 
brother  iSandbourn's.  In  this  meeting,  two  men,  who 
had  formerly  been  opposers  of  the  truth,  came  fur- 
ward  and  spake  for  the  Lord. 

Tuesday  night,   I  attended  meeting  in   Billymead 
and  on   Wednesday,   in  Burk;  where  we  had   an  ex- 
cellent time.     Here  I   baptized  three    persons  ;    ma- 
king in  all  thirteen,  who  had  been   baptized  there.     I 
attended  meeting'that  evening  in  the  same  place. 

Thursday,  I  went  to  St.  Johnsbury;  attended  meet- 
ing in  the  afternoon,  and  in  the  evening;  and  had  a 
good  time. 

Friday,  I  came  back  as  far  as  Lyndon  corner,  and 
attended  a  meeting.  In  the  evening,  I  went  to 
the  north  part  of  the  town,  and  attended  another  meet- 
ing. Two  or  three  were  brought  into  liberty  for  the 
first  time  ;  and  five  or  six  related  their  experience. 

Saturday  afternoon,  I  attended  conference  at  Billy- 
mead; where  ten  persons  related  their  experience,  and 
offered  themselves  for  baptism. 

Sabbath  day,  October  21st,  I  met  with  the  people 
for  worship;  several  spake  of  the  goodness  of  God, 
and  three  offered  themselves  for  baptism.  We  then 
repaired  to  the  water,  and  thirteen  were  baptized. — 
After  which  we  returned  to  the  house;  but  there  be- 
ing such  a  multitude  of  people,  we  were  constrained 
to  meet  out  of  doors.  1  talked  to  the  people  for 
some  time.  And  feeling  a  desire  to  see  all  the  breth- 
ren in  town  embodied  into  one  church;  I  requested 
all  the  brethren  and  sisters,  who  were  thus  minded,  to 


88  LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLBY. 

arise,  and  march  on  to  tl)e  common.  They  therefore 
arose,  with  one  accord,  and  advanced;  such  a  cloud 
of  witnesses  1  scarce  ever  saw  before.  I  desired 
tliem  to  form  into  a  circle,  for  the  conveniency  of  ta- 
king their  names.  They  did  so;  and  their  number 
was  one  hunched  and  eleven^  besides  a  large  number 
of  brethren  belonging  to  other  churches.  I  then  re- 
quested all  those  who  desired  to  be  prayed  for  to  come 
within  the  ring.  I  judged  there  were  about  fifty,  who 
entered.  The  brethren  then  joined  hands,  kneeled 
down,  prayed,  and  agreed  to  walk  together  in  love. 
This  was  a  solemn  tmie  to  all  the  people.  1  hose 
tvithont,  were  much  alarmed,  when  they  considered 
what  was  recorded  in  the  last  chapter  of  Revelation, 
concerning  such.  We  met  again  in  the  evening,  and 
had  a  refreshing  season.  One  young  womnn,  (from  a 
neighboring  town,)  professed  to  be  brought  from  a 
state  of  condemnation,  to  enjoy  peace  and  justification. 

Tuesday  night,  I  attended  meeting  again  in  Eilly- 
mead. 

Wednesday,  I  went  to  Wheclock,  attended  a  meet- 
ing and  baptized  one. 

Thursday,  I  returned  to  the  centre  of  Eurk,  and 
held  a  meeting  in  a  school-house.  We  had  a  prec- 
ious time.  Five  or  six  arose,  and  spake  of  the  good- 
ness of  God.     These  never  sjjoke  in  nieetin<j  before. 

Friday,  October  26th,  I  went  on  as  far  as  Lyndon, 
and  attended  a  meeting  in  the  afternoon;  a  large  con- 
course of  people  attended,  and  I  baptized  ten.  In 
the  evening,  I  attended  another  meeting,  near  the 
same  place.  Five  more  came  out  and  told  what  the 
Lord  had  done  for  them.  The  next  morning,  1  went 
on  to  London  corner,  and  felt  as  though  I  must  stop 
and  pray.  After  having  sung  the  Judgment  Hymn, 
(sitting  on  ray  horse.)  I  prayed.  The  people  flocked 
around  on  every  side,  and  it   was  a  solemn  time.*     I 

*I  preached  at  the  Corner  a  few  drys  before  and  the  people  would 
not  auend. 


LIFE    OF   JOHN  COLBY.  89 

then  went  to  Waterford,  and  stopped  at  a  quarterly 
meeting.  In  the  evening  I  attended  a  meeting  in  tiie 
same  place,  with  Eiders  Buzzell  and  Page.  Three 
were  brought  into  hberty. 

The  next  day,  (being  the  Sabbath,  October  28th,) 
I  tarried  and  attended  meeting  with  the  Elders  and 
brethren.  i\rter  worship,  one  brother,  by  the  name 
of  Cheney,  was  ordained;  and  one  was  baptized.  I 
then  went  on  five  miles,  and  attended  a  meeting  in 
the  evening.  The  next  morning  I  travelled  eight  or 
ten  miles,  to  an  appointment  at  9  o'clock.  I  then 
crossed  Connecticut  river,  into  New  Hampshire,  and 
attended  a  meeting  at  Littlnton,  at  I  o'clock  P.  M. — 
From  thence  I  went  to  New-Concord,  and  held  a 
meeting  in  the  evening  at  Bagly  Colby's.  This  was  a 
solemn  time.  I  imderstood  afterwards,  that  a  num- 
ber were  struck  under  conviction. 

Tuesday  morning,  I  went  to  Franconia,  and  attend- 
ed a  meeting  at  10  o'clock  I  then  went  on  through 
the  long  woods  (called  Frank  Woods,)  and  put  up  at 
Russel's  in  Peelmg,  where  I  attended  a  meeting  the 
same  evenmg.  The  next  morning  1  went  on;  and  at 
ten  o'clock,  attended  a  meeting  at  Thornton.  At 
this  meeting,  there  were  a  number  of  young  people, 
who  appeared  very  haughty;  but  before  the  meeting 
ended  almost  every  one  were  melted  into  tears. — 
From  thence  I  went  to  Sandwich,  (the  place  of  my 
nativity.)  In  the  evening,  I  attended  a  meeting  at 
the  house  of  Samuel  Ambrose,  a  brother.  Sandwich 
has  been  a  remarkable  town  for  reformations.  I  have 
been  informed  that  there  were  more  than  five  hundred 
professors  of  religion  in  that  place.  But  at  that  time, 
I  found  religion  at  a  low  ebb.  I  believe  there  was 
not  more  than  one  fifth  part  of  the  above  number, 
who  then  enjoyed  the  life  and  power  of  religion. — 
Backsliders  were  found  on  every  hand.  I  was  there 
eleven  days,  and  attended  nineteen  meetings.  I  also 
attended  one  meeting  in  Tamworth  and  one  in  Moul- 
*8 


90  LIFE    OF    JOHN    COLBY. 

tonborougb.  I  enjoyed  freedom,  and  saw  many  back- 
sliders return  to  tbe  Lord.  Eleven  or  twelve  youne 
people,  vvbo  had  never  enjoyed  religion  before,  were 
brought  to  bow  at  the  feet  of  Clirist,  and  beg  for  mer- 
cy. And  they  found  the  Lord  to  be  a  present  help 
in  time  of  trouble.  They  are  now  rejoicing  in  the 
truth,  and  praising  God,  that  they  were  ever  born  to 
be  born  again.  Several  of  the  above  number  were 
my  old  neighbors  and  companions  ;  which  circum- 
stance seemed  to  heighten  my  joy. 

Sabbath  day,  November  11th,  after  having  attend- 
ed the  general  meeting  at  Sandwich,  1  went  to  llol- 
derness,  and  attended  a  meeting  at  brother  John 
True's.  Next  morning,  Nov.  12,  1  \yent  to  Plym- 
outh; where  I  met  with  a  number  of  loving  brothers 
and  sisters.  From  thence,  I  went  through  Kumney 
and  VVentworth,  and  thence  to  Warren,  where  1  at- 
tended a  meeting  iliat  evening  at  Mr  Clement's  tav- 
ern. Next  morning  I  went  to  Haverhill  corner,  where 
I  expected  to  have  attended  a  meeting  But  finding 
no  appointment  notified,  I  went  to  Well's  river,  where 
I  attended  a  meeting  in  the  evening. 

Nov.  14,  I  travelled  on  homeward,  passing  through 
•^  Ryegate,  Barnet,  and  St.  Johnsbury,  to  Lyndon;  and 
^  in  the  evening,  fulfilled  an  appointment  I  had  made  af- 
ter I  left  home.  Next  day  I  went  to  Billymead,  and 
found  my  friends  well.  'Ihe  day  following,  I  went  to 
Burk.  and  found  that  the  Lord  had  been  gloriously 
carrying  on  his  work  in  that  place.  Ten  or  twelve 
had  been  brought  into  liberty,  while  I  had  been  gone. 
I  attended  meeting  with  them  in  the  evening;  and  was 
greatly  rejoiced,  to  find  them  so  well  engaged  in  the 
cause  of  religion;  especially  some  that  were  much 
opposed  to  it,  when  I  saw  them  before. 

Saturday,  I  went  to  Lyndon,    attended    a   meeting 
with  the  brethren,  and  had  a  refreshing  time. 

Sabbath  day  and  evening,  I  atttended  a  meeting  at 
Billymead. 


LIFE    OFJOHN   COLBY.  91 

Nov.  20th,  I  went  to  Curby,  and  attended  a  meet- 
ing the  same  evening  in  that  place.  Several  persons 
manifested  a  determination  to  seek  reli2;ion. 

Wednesday,  I  went  to  Burk  where  I  attended  a 
meeting  in  the  afternoon,  and  another  in  the  evening. 
I  found  the  converts  well  engaged,  and  had  the  happi- 
ness of  seeing  two  new  ones  come  forward. 

Thursday  morning,  I  went  to  Lyndon,  attended  a 
meeting  in  the  afternoon,  and  baptized  five.  In  the 
evening,  I  altended  a  meeting  at  the  same  place. 

Next  day,  I  went  on  about  two  miles  towards  Lyn- 
don corner,  and  visited  the  people  from  house  to 
house.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  at  a  school  house 
to  a  crowded  assembly.  The  next  day  1  returned 
home. 

Sabbath  day,  Nov.  25th,  I  attended  meeting  at 
Billymead  ;  and  the  Lord  was  in  our  midst. 

Monday  night,  I  was  at  brother  Blake's  ;  a  number 
of  young  people  being  present,  two  of  whom  were 
not  converted.  I  conversed  with  them  for  some  time. 
I  then  kneeled  down  and  prayed.  They  also  both 
kneeled,  and  prayed  for  themselves;  the  Lord  ap- 
peared in  mercy,  and  blessed  their  souls  ;  and  I  trust 
they  are  now  on  their  journey  to  the  heavenly  country, 

Tuesday,  I  went  to  Lyndon,  held  a  meeting  in  the 
evening,  and  had  a  happy  time.  I  found  many  in- 
quiring minds. 

Wednesday,  I  went  to  Danville,  having  been  sent 
for  by  the  Church,  to  assist  in  the  ordination  of  a 
brother.  Thursday,  two  other  Elders  with  myself, 
performed  the  ordination ;  and  in  the  evening  I 
preached  in  the  same  place. 

Friday,  I  went  to  the  south  part  of  Lyndon,  and 
held  a  meeting  in  the  afternoon,  at  Mr  Megaffy's. 
At  this  meeting  there  were  a  number  of  young  peo- 
ple, and  several  very  old.  It  was  a  time  of  general 
weeping  and  mourning  through  the  house.     I  went  on 


92  LIFE    OF  JOHN    COLBY. 

two  or  three  miles  and  attended  a  meeting  in  the  eve- 
ning.— Saturday,  I  went  home. 

Sabbath  day,  Dec.  2d,  1  preached  at  our  usual 
place  of  worship.  At  the  close,  we  repaired  to  the 
water,  where  I  baptized  two.  We  naet  again  in  the 
evening,  and  had  a  happy  season. 

Tuesday  following,  I  went  to  the  east  part  of  Lyn- 
don, attended  meeting  in  the  afternoon,  and  baptized 
one. 

Wednesday,  I  went  to  Burk  ;  and  in  the  evening, 
attended  meeting  at  brother  VV^elman's.  The  liearts 
of  the  brethren  were  much  comforted  ;  while  at  the 
same  time,  several  mourning  sinners  were  much  dis- 
tressed. 

Thursday,  bemg  the  annual  Thanksgiving,  I  return- 
ed to  Billymead,  and  attended  meeting  ;  we  had  a 
thanksgiving  indeed.  At  the  close  of  worship,  we 
repaired  to  the  water,  and  baptized  four.  In  the  eve- 
ning I  went  to  the  south  part  of  the  town,  attended  a 
meeting,  and  married  a  couple. 

Friday  evening;,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  Burk. 

Saturday,  I  went  to  Lyndon,  by  request,  to  visit  a 
sick    woman 

Sabbath  day,  December  9th,  was  my  birth  day  ; 
I  being  then  twenty-three  years  old.  In  the  day 
time,  I  preached  at  Burk  ;  and  in  the  evening,  at  Lyn- 
don, where  I  had  an  appointment  to  preach  to  the 
youih.  Here  was  a  crowded  assembly,  and  it  was 
truly  a  solemn  time.  Spent  the  rest  of  the  week  in 
Lyndon,  St  Johnsbury  and  Danville.  I  found  many 
inquiring  minds,  and  some  greatly  distressed  on  ac- 
count of  their  sins. 

Sabbath  day,  Dec.  16th,  I  attended  meeting  at 
Billymead  ;  and  the  remainder  of  that  week  I  spent  ia 
the  same  place,  Burk  and  Lyndon. 

Sabbath  day,  Dec.  23d,  I  preached  in  Lyndon. 
Tuesday  following,  I  sat  out  early,  to  go  to  the  South 
part  of  Kerby,    which    was   about   fifteen    or  twenty 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  COLBF.  93 

miles.  The  sun  arose  clear,  the  morning  appeared 
fair  and  delightsome,  and  I  entertained  a  pleasing  hope 
of  a  pleasant  day.  But  I  had  not  gone  far,  when  a 
storm  suddenly  arose  and  beat  down  upon  me  in  a 
dreadful  manner.  This  was  loud  preaching  to  me. 
I  thought  it  to  be  a  striking  resemblance  of  tliat  storm 
of  wrath  which  shall  be  poured  out  upon  the  ungodly 
at  the  last  day.  It  also  brought  to  my  mind  a  view  of 
the  travel  of  the  sons  of  men  from  the  cradle  to  the 
grave.  The  youth,  in  the  morning  of  life,  set  out 
with  fair  expectations  of  a  pleasant  and  prosperous 
journey,  through  the  various  scenes  before  them  ;  but 
in  an  unexpected  hour,  the  storms  of  trouble  arise  ; 
their  morning  sun  is  beclouded  and  their  fair  pros- 
pects all  blasted.  They,  like  the  rose,  make  a  fair 
appearance  to  the  beholders  ;  but  there  is  a  worm  at 
their  root,  Death,  like  a  foe  in  ambush,  unexpected- 
ly rises  up,  and,  with  some  deadly  weapon,  cuts  them 
down! 

Tuesday,  I  attended  meeting  at  Kerby,  and  had  a 
good  time  ;  the  Lord  was  in  that  place. 

Wednesday,  I  preached  in  Waterford.  After 
meeting  brother  Cheney  baptized  five;  In  the  eve- 
ning, 1  attended  al  brother  Cneney's  ;  it  was  a  solemn 
time. 

Thursday  evening,  I  preached  in  another  part  of  the 
town  to  a  precious  number  of  youths  ;  and  1  have  rea- 
son to  believe  it  will  be  long    remembered  by    many. 

Friday  and  Saturday  evenings,    preached  in    Burk. 

Sabbath  day,  Dec.  30ih,  I  preached  in  the  same 
town,  to  a  very  loving  assembly  of  people.  The  most 
of  them  were  young  converts  ;  and  appeared  to  be 
well  engaged  in  the  cause  of  religion.  To  conclude 
this  interview,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  going  down  into 
the  water,  and  baptizing  four  of  those  happy  converts, 
which  increased  the  number  io  fifty  one,  who  had  been 
baj)tized,  since  1  returned  from  the  westward. 

Sabbath  day  night,  I  held  a  meeting  at  Brother  Ru- 


8>4  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

fus  Newell's  ;  where  one  backslider,  who  had  stood 
it  out  through  all  the  reformation,  camH  home  to  his 
Father's  house,  with  a  liumble  acknowledgement  of  his 
oflences. 

Dec.  31st,  I  went  home  to  my  father's.  A  sol- 
emn weight  rested  on  my  tnind,  while  I  considered 
that  that  day  closed  the  year  1810. — And  I  feared  I 
had  not  made  so  good  improvement  as  I  might  have 
done.  I  looked  back  to  the  close  of  1809  ;  and  it 
seemed  but  a  moment.  But  recollecting  my  prayer 
on  that  day,  while  passing  down  Susquehannah  river, 
while  I  pleaded  with  God  to  be  with  me  the  ensuing 
year  ;  I  thought  I  had  great  reason  to  give  glory  to  his 
name,  that  he  had  in  so  many  instances,  heard  and 
answered  my  prayers,  in  so  remarkable  a  manner. 

Jan.  1st,  1811,  I  had  a  deep  sense  of  the  rapid 
flight  of  time  :  and  of  the  renewed  obligation  I  was 
under,  to  the  Preserver  of  my  unprofitable  life.  And 
I  renewed  covenant  with  i)im  to  be  more  faithful  in  his 
cause  ;  prayed  for  his  assistance,  and  that  I  might 
have  a  deeper  work  of  grace  wrought  in  my  heart. 
It  being  rumored  that  I  was  going  a  journey  ;  in  the 
evening,  about  thirty  young  people  came  in  to  see 
me.  We  spent  the  time  in  conversation,  singing  and 
prayer.  I  tarried  in  that  region  until  the  19th  of  the 
monthj;  two  things  extraordinary  happened  in  the 
time.  On  the  10th,  I  was  called  to  visit  a  sick  man, 
who  had  been  a  strong  advocate  of  the  doctrine  of 
universal  salvation.  1  found  him  dangerou.-ly  sick, 
and  in  extreme  bodily  pain.  But  he  made  no  com- 
plaint of  that.  The  distress  of  his  mind,  outweighed 
it  all.  ft  was  enough  to  affect  the  hardest  heart,  to 
hear  him  reflect  on  himself,  for  his  past  life.  "Oh!" 
said  he,  "I  could  have  all  my  limbs  ground  to  pow- 
der if  it  would  atone  for  my  sins  ;  or  I  would  be 
willing  to  lie  in  this  situation  thirty  years,  if  I  could 
then  be  happy."  The  next  day,  at  his  request,  I  vis- 
ited hira  again  and  tarried  with  him  through    the  day. 


LIFE    OF   JOHN  COLBY.  95 

X 

At  evening,  I  repaired  to  a  school  house,  a  few  rods 
distance,  to  a  ttend  a  meeting.  But  immediately  after 
I  went  out,  the  doctor  informed  him,  that  he  would 
not  live  over  six  hours.  This  was  shocking  news  to 
him.  He  immediately  sent  and  called  for  me  ;  and 
entreated  me  to  stay  by  him,  and  pray  for  him  till  he 
died.  About  half  past  11  o'clock  at  night,  he  closed 
his  eyes  upon  all  mortal  objects  ;  and  made  his  exit, 
to  try  new  scenes,  in  worlds  to  him  before  unknown. 
He  retained  his  reason  to  his  last  moments  ;  and  a  few 
minutes  before  he  expired,  I  asked  him  if  he  had  a 
hope,  that  it  would  be  well  with  him  after  death.  Pie 
answered,  '  I  have  in  part."  But  oh!  said  he,  it  is 
too  far  off;  I  feel  afraid  to  meet  God  ;  but  alas!  1 
must  go."  While  I  stood  closing  his  eyes,  the  ques- 
tion revolved  in  my  mind,  where  has  his  soul  fled.'' 
But  this  I  leave  for  the  judgement  to  declare.  The 
next  day  I  preached  his  funeral  sermon,  to  a  large 
concourse  ol  people  ;  and  his  remains  were  covered 
up  in  the  cold  and  silent  grave  ;  there  to  remain  till 
the  morning  of  the  resurrection,  when  the  dead,  small 
and  great,  must  stand  beiore  God,  and  receive  a  just 
sentence  or  reward,  according  to  their  works. 

On  the  17th,  Iwas  sent  for  to  preach  the  funeral 
sermon  of  two  young  women,  who  were  sisters  ; 
namely,  Sally  and  Patty  Scott,  in  the  town  of  Lyn- 
don. These  two  sisters  were  both  taken  sick  at  one 
time,  with  the  typhus  fever,  and  died  within  twenty 
minutes  of  each  other.  This  was  truly  an  affecting 
scene!  To  see  two  sisters,  lately  in  the  bloom  of 
youth,  lie  sleeping  side  by  side  in  the  cold  embraces 
of  death,  was  a  solemn  day  to  the  crowded  assembly 
in  general  ;  but  more  especially  to  the  numerous  rel- 
atives. 

Jan.  19.  I  would  here  add,  that  the  stroke  of  mor- 
tality was  repeated,  until  nine  died  out  of  the  family, 
in  a  few  months. 

This  day  I  left  home  to  journey  into   the  eastern 


9C  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

country.  I  went  as  far  as  Waterford,  where  I  tarried 
a  few  days,  and  preached  to  the  people.  Froin 
thence  I  crossed  Connecticut  Iliver,  and  went  down 
to  New-Concord.  I  found  the  workof  (iod  glorious- 
ly spreading  in  that  place.  I  tarried  with  them  about 
a  week  ;  attended  twelve  meetings  ;  and  baptized  ten 
persons. — There  were  a  number,  who  professed  to  be 
born  again,  during  my  stay.  At  one  meeting,  I  think 
there  were  nine  or  ten,  who  came  forward  in  public 
trstimony  for  the  first  time. 

Leaving  New-Concord,  I  went  on  to  Sandwich,  N. 
H.  with  an  intention  of  abiding  there  a  few  weeks  and 
then  to  travel  through  the  state  of  Rhode  Island.  But 
the  Lord  disappointed  me.  I  began  to  appoint  meet- 
ings it)  different  parts  of  the  town,  and  went  through 
preaching  the  word.  The  Lord  began  immediately 
to  revive  his  work  in  every  direction  ;  and  the  refor- 
mation spread  in  a  glorious  and  solemn  manner.  In 
one  part  of  the  town,  where  I  preached  for  the  first 
time,  I  told  the  people,  that  death  was  coming  into 
the  neighborhood,  within  a  few  days;  and  gave  iheni 
a  solemn  charge,  to  be  ready  to  meet  him.  In  less 
than  one  week,  and  aged  woman  in  the  viciiu'ty,  clos- 
ed her  eyes  in  death.  A  few  days  afterwards,  I  at- 
tended another  meeting  in  the  same  neighborhood  ; 
and  thought  I  saw  a  cloud  like  a  man's  hand,  and  heard 
a  sound  of  abundance  of  rain.  However,  the  day  wore 
away,  and  many  of  the  people  withdrew  from  the 
meeting,  without  seeing  any  display  of  divine  power. 
I  then  told  the  residue,  that  I  had  faith  to  believe  that 
God  would  work  in  the  meeting  before  it  closed  ;  and 
that  I  was  determined  not  to  leave  the  house,  so  long 
as  there  was  one  person  left. — I  kneeled  down  and 
prayed  ;  and  in  a  short  time  nine  or  ten  fell  on  their 
knees,  and  began  to  cry  for  mercy.  In  this  manner, 
the  meeting  continued  the  greatest  part  of  the  night; 
and  many  were  brought  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord. 

Not  long  after,  I  attended   another  meeting   in  the 


LIFE    OF   JOHN  COLBY.  97 

same  vicinhy.  While  I  stood  preaching,  the  power 
of  God  fell  on  the  people.  One  woman  cried  out ; 
and  in  great  distress  walked  the  room,  beseeching 
God  to  have  mercy  on  her  soul.  Others  fell,  and 
cried  in  the  same  manner.  The  exercise  continued 
late  in  the  evening  until  eleven  souls,  1  trust,  were 
converted  to  God.  I  continued  in  Sandwich,  preach- 
ing the  word,  about  two  months.  I  baptized  fifty  four 
persons  ;  and  believe  I  saw  nearly  as  many  more  con- 
verted in  the  time.  1  think  twenty  or  thirty  of  them 
were  baptized  by  Elder  Quimby,  and  other  adminis- 
trators. In  short,  the  work  of  God  has  been  very 
glorious  in  Sandwich  ;  and  God  has  much  people  in 
that  place. 

About  the  first  of  April,  I  began  to  preach  in  Tam- 
worth,  N.  H.  adjoining  to  Sandwich.  The  first  time, 
I  preached  at  the  place  called  the  Iron-works.  Sev- 
eral were  struck  under  conviction  that  day,  who  nev- 
er found  any  peace,  till  they  found  Christ.  The  next 
day,  being  Sabbath,  I  preached  in  the  same  neighbor- 
hood ;  and  trulv  it  was  an  affecting  time.  A  number 
were  deeply  convinced  of  the  importance  of  seeking 
religion.  Two  weeks  from  that  time  I  preached  there 
again.  And  notwithstanding  many  of  the  people 
came  to  the  meeting  apparently  lull  of  prejudice  and 
party  spirit,  yet  God's  power  in  the  awakening  of  sin- 
ners, was  marvellously  displayed.  Some  souls  were 
brought  into  gospel  liberty,  to  praise  the  Lord.  I 
think  I  never  saw  a  more  solemn  congregation  of  peo- 
ple in  my  life.  The  youth,  in  a  particular  manner, 
through  the  house,  were  melted  into  tenderness  before 
the  Lord.  One  man  a  little  past  the  middle  age,  (a 
great  politician,)  came  to  hear  and  see  for  himsell,  for 
the  first  time.  He  brought  a  newspaper  in  his  pock- 
et to  amuse  himself  in  the  intermission.  He  after- 
wards informed  me,  that  when  I  first  came  to  the 
house,  and  walked  to  the  plac^'where  I  stood  to  preach; 
he  observing  that  I  stood  for  some  time  in  profound 
9 


98  LirB  OP  JOHX  COLBT. 

silence,  and  looking  over  the  congregation  with  a  sol- 
emn countenance  ;  it  struck  him  that  I  could  discern 
between  the  precious  and  tiie  vile  ;  and  that  1  was 
picking  out  the  sheep  from  the  goats.  And  heing 
convicted  by  his  conscience,  of  his  own  standing,  he 
said  to  himself,  "  if  I  cannot  stand,  with  a  bold  coun- 
tenance, before  this  man,  how  shall  I  stand  before  the 
impartial  judge  of  quick  and  dead  ?  He  said  he  was 
convinced  that  he  should  be  found  on  the.  left  hand  of 
Christ,  and  be  punished  with  everlasting  destruction 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  and  the  glory  of  his 
power.  The  poor  man  had  enough  to  think  of  in  the 
intermission,  but  never  thought  of  his  newspaper  ; 
neither  did  he  afterwards  for  a  number  of  days,  until 
he  happened  to  put  his  hand  into  his  pocket  and  found 
it  there.  This  was  now  no  amusement  to  him.  He 
continued  in  great  distress  for  about  three  weeks  ; 
and  then  he  found  him,  of  whom  Moses  in  the  law 
and  ihe  prophets  did  write,  Jesus  of  Nazareth. — 
Also,  a  young  woman  who  came  to  the  same  meeting, 
being  pri)ud,  and  bold  in  sin  ;  who  had  been  in  the 
habit  of  making  a  mock  of  religion,  both  in  public 
and  in  private,  was  struck  in  a  smilar  manner  as  the 
man  mentioned  above,  before  she  heard  a  word,  fche 
began  to  cry,  and  continued  weeping  and  mouruing, 
through  the  day,  and  ceased  not  till  she  found  Jesu3 
to  be  precious  to  her  soul.  iShe  is  now,  I  trust,  on 
her  journey   "  to  fairer  worlds  on  high.  ' 

From  this,  the  reformation  spread  ;  and  would,  I 
believe,  have  spread  througli  the  town,  had  it  not 
been,  for  certain  characters  who  were  opposed  to  re- 
ligion ;  who  attacked  the  word  in  every  way  possible, 
and  opposed  the  reformation  in  a  most  cruel  manner. 
I  often  thought,  when  in  Taniworth,  of  what  C  brist 
said,  IJatt.  xxiii:  37,  38,  '•  O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem, 
thou  that  killest  lh«  prophets,  and  stonest  them  that 
are  sent  unto  thee,  how  often  would  I  have  gathered 
thy  children   together,  even   as  a  hen  gaihertth   her 


LIFE  OP   JOHN   COLBY.  99 

chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye  would  not  !  JRe- 
hold,  your  house  is  left  unto  you  desolate."  This,  I 
believe,  will  be  a  calamity  that  will  fall  upon  that  peo- 
ple, without  repentance.  Their  house  will  be  left 
unto  them  desolate.  It  was  not  an  uncommon  thing 
for  parents  to  prevent  their  children  from  going  to 
meeting  ;  in  some  instances,  where  the  meeting  was 
within  a  few  rods  distance  :  especiaily  if  they  had  been 
before,  and  had  got  convicted. 

One  young  man,  having  been  under  severe  trials  of 
mind  for  several  weeks,  and  spent  his  leisure  hours 
in  reading,  meditation  and  prayer,  was  accosted  onei 
day  by  his  father,  who  said,  "  I  do  not  believe  in  get- 
ting religion  in  this  way."  "  Why?"  replied  the 
young  man.  "  Dear  father,  if  I  have  religion  at  all,  I 
must  have  such  religion  as  the  Lord  gives  me."  For 
my  part  I  could  wish  that  every  one  had  such  religion 
as  the  young  man  referred  to,  had,  and  no  other. 

Notwithstanding  the  opposition  in  Tamworth,  the 
Lord  was  mindful  of  those  that  sought  his  face  and 
brought  a  goodly  number  to  rejoice  in  his  lovely  name; 
sixteen  were  baptized.  Many  more,  I  trust,  were 
brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  But  by  ad- 
hering to  Lo  .'  here  is  Christ;  and  Lo !  ih^re  is 
Christ,  they  were  scattered,  some  one  way,  and  some 
another.  In  this  place,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  bapti- 
zing six  belonging  to  one  family,  viz.  the  man,  his 
wife,  a  son,  and  three  daughters.  It  was  indeed  a 
pleasant  sight  to  see  so  many  in  one  family,  all  setting 
out  for  heaven  together  !  Here  was  a  church  in  one 
house  ;  would  to  God  there  were  many  such  church- 
es ;  or  even  that  there  was  a  church  in  every  house. 
For  1  am  convinced,  that  reformation  will  never  per- 
vade the  world  until  family  religion  is  inculcated  and 
established  among  the  professors  of  Christianity.  O, 
that  the  children  of  God  would  unite,  in  fervent  prayer 
for  a  reformation  in  Zion. 

While  the  reformation  was  going  on  in  Tamworth, 


100  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

as  before  described,  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Eaton,  adjacent,  came  over  like  spies,  to  spy  out  the 
work,  l^ut,  unexpectedly,  the  bow  being  drawn  at  a 
venture,  was  directed  between  the  joints  of  their  har- 
ness, sunk  into  their  hearts,  and  they  went  home  sore- 
ly wounded.  The  brethren  from  that  place  often  re- 
quested me  to  come  over  and  preach  among  them. — 
At  length  I  appointed  a  meeting  and  went.  When  I 
got  to  the  place,  I  found  a  large  concourse  of  people 
together;  and  I  felt  an  unusual  cry  in  my  soul  to  tho 
God  of  Heaven,  that  he  would  make  a  rich  display  of 
his  power  in  the  congregation.  The  brethren  in  tho 
place  at  that  time,  were  generally  lukewarm  ;  but  few 
enjoying  the  power  of  religion.  A  number  had  en- 
tirely forsaken  the  Lord,  and  were  cut  off  from  the 
Church.  I  felt  a  travel  of  soul  for  professors,  as  well 
as  for  the  unconverted.  And  before  I  had  done 
speaking,  I  felt  a  satisfactory  evidence,  that  the  Lord 
would  speedily  answer  prayer.  When  1  had  done 
speaking,  I  observed  that  almost  the  whole  assembly 
were  in  a  flood  of  tears.  The  brethren  arose,  one  af- 
ter another,  in  quick  succession,  and  spake  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord.  Some  rejoiced,  and  praised  God 
for  hii  goodness.  Others  acknowledged  their  luke- 
wtrrnness  ;  and  said  they  feared  the  Lord  would  spew 
them  out  of  his  mouth.  Others  confessed  their  back- 
sliding; that  they  had  spent  all  their  substance  in  riot- 
ous living,  &c.;  and  that  they  had  striven  in  vain  to 
satisfy  tliemselves  with  the  husky  vanities  of  worldly 
riches,  honors  and  sensual  delights.  About  the  close 
of  the  day,  to  crown  the  meeting  with  joy,  one  young 
woman  was  converted  to  God;  and  with  extatic  joy, 
praised  the  great  Redeemer.  The  next  morning, 
(like  the  woman  of  Samaria,)  she  came  through  the 
neighborhood,  and  called  upon  her  companions,  to 
come  and  see  a  man,  that  told  her  all  things  that  ever 
she  did:  assuring  them  that  it  was  the  Christ  ;  and 
that  she  had  found  him  to  be  altogether  lovely,  and 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  101 

the  chiefest  among  ten  thousands.  Another  young 
female,  whom  I  observed  as  I  entered  the  place  was 
very  finely  dressed,  and  ruffled  off  in  the  proudest 
manner,  caused  an  uncommon  solemnity  to  fall  onjmy 
mind.  Before  I  had  done  speaking,  I  mentioned  the 
impression  I  had  felt  at  the  beginning  of  the  meeting  ; 
and  then  told  the  people,  that  there  was  a  young  wo- 
man in  the  house,  who  would  be  immediately  convert- 
ed to  God,  or  else  her  sun  would  set  in  the  morning; 
and  she  would  be  suddenly  hurled  to  the  dark  shades 
of  night.  The  proud  young  woman  before  mention- 
ed, immediately  dropped  her  head,  as  suddenly  as  if  an 
arrow  had  gone  through  her  heart:  and  an  internal 
voice  said  to  her,  ''  thou  art  the  one."  She  contin- 
ued mourning  and  praying,  I  beheve,  through  the  re- 
maining part  of  tlie  meeting;  through  the  night,  and 
all  the  next  day.  The  night  following  she  was  con- 
verted; and  a  more  humble  convert  I  never  saw.  In 
the  same  meeting  where  she  was  converted,  five  more 
were  struck  under  conviction,  while  I  was  speaking, 
as  I  learned  afterwards;  and  some  of  them  experi- 
enced religion  the  same  night. 

I  then  left  an  appointment  to  preach  there  again,  in 
about  one  week  from  that  time;  and  went  to  other 
towns,  whers  I  had  meetings  appointed.  My  read- 
ers will  observe  that  I  had  stated  appointments  at  this 
time,  in  a  number  of  towns;  namely,  Eaton,  Tarn- 
worth,  Sandwich,  Centerharbor,  Moultonborough,  and 
Meredith,  all  adjoining;  and  that  the  reformation  was 
spreading  through  the  most  of  these  places  at  one 
time.  But  that  they  may  have  a  more  perfect  knowl- 
edge, of  the  glorious  work  of  God  in  these  towns,  I 
shall  give  a  particular  description  of  the  reformatioa 
in  each  by  itself. 

On  my  return  to  Eaton,  I  found  that  several   more 

were  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.     In  my 

absence,  several  of  the  converts  having  got  together 

one  evening,  two  or  three  of  their  companions  being 

*9 


103  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBT. 

present  wiih  them;   they   immediately  hegan  to   pray 
for  them;  and  continued  praying  and  weeping,  through 
the  night;  hut,  hlcssed  he  God,  joy  came  in  the  morn- 
ing.    And  they  had  the   privilege   of  rejoicing   with 
them  as  heaven  born  hrethren.     Our  second  meeting 
began  at  one  o'clock  P.  M.  and  continued  till  tlie  next 
morning.     We  then    had  an    intermission    for  a   few 
hours,   and   assembled   again.     This   meeting,    also, 
lasted  through  that  day,   and  the  night  following.      A 
precious  number  of  souls  were  hopefully   converted, 
in  the  course  of  these  meetings.     Previous   to  this,  a 
couple  of  young   women  had  entered  into  an  agree- 
ment  to  resist   the  Spirit   of  the  Lord,  and   all    the 
prayers  of  his  children;  and  firmly    agreed  to    stand 
by  each  other  in    that  obstinate    resistance*  let   what 
would  come.     But  it  was  so  ordered,  in   divine  wis- 
dom, that  their  covenant  was   soon  broken,  and   their 
agreement  did  not  stand.     For  in  the  time  of  the  in- 
termission before    mentioned   I  went    into  the   house 
where  one  of  them   lived.     I   kneeled  down    in    the 
family,    and  began   to   pray.     After    I    had  prayed  a 
while,  I  began  to  pray  for  the  young  woman,  and  I  had 
not  prayed  long  before  she   fell  on  her  knees.     She 
told  me  afterwards,  that  she  had  no  idea  of  praying, 
in  case  she  had  stayed  on  her  knees  a  week.     Jnit  af- 
ter remaining  in  this  humble  posture  a  while,  she  broke 
out  in  the  following  language,  "  O  LORD  !  I  had  as 
good  seek  for  happiness  in  thee,  and  not  find  it,  as  to 
seek  for  it  in  the   world,  and  not   find  it:  for   I   have 
never  found  any    real  happiness  in  the  vanities  of  the 
world — none  in  the  ball-room — none  at  the  card   ta- 
ble— none  in  my  gay  parties  and  pastimes.     And  now, 
O  Lord,  if  there  be  any  true  happiness  in  religion,  let 
me  enjoy  it  before  I  arise  from  my  knees." 

Thus  she  continued  praying,  till  her  soul  was  con- 
verted to  God.  She  then  found  that  there  was  real 
happiness  to  be  enjoyed  in  religion. — I  heard  hrr  say 
not  long  afterwards  that  she  longed  to  leave  this  world 


LIFE  OP  JOHN  COLBY.  103 

and  to  be  with  Christ.     O,  said  she,  I  would  not  ex- 
change what  I  now  feel  in  my  soul,  and  the  hope  that 
I  have  beyond  the  grave,  for  ten  thousand  such  worlds 
as  this.     Her  pride,  and  vanity,  and  idol    gods,  were 
now  no  more  to   her  than  a  mote.     Her   ruffles  be- 
came fuel  for  the  fire  ;  all  her   superfluous  ornaments 
were  laid  aside.     She   now  appeared   in    modest  ap- 
parel ;  and  her  countenance,  together  with  the  visible 
alteration  of  her  deportment,  seemed  enough  to  strike 
a  sinner  under   conviction.     I  stayed    at  her    father's 
one  night  ;  and  early  on  the  morning  following,    I  re- 
tired to  the  field  to  pray.     While  I  was  there  in  med- 
itation I  saw  the  young  woman,  in  company  wiib  her 
three  sisters,  walking   hand    in  hand:  (they  were  all 
women    grown,    and    all   professors.)     They   passed 
through  an    orchard,  into  a  pasture,  in    which    was  a 
grave-yard.     I  observed  they    went   directly  to  that ; 
and  after  passing  a  number  of  graves,  they  parted,  and 
went  up  two  on  each  side  of  the  grave  of  their  godly 
grandmother,  who  had  lain  in  her   grave  about   three 
years.     They  all  fell  upon  their   knees  ;  and    prayed 
vocally.     1  could  not  hear  their  words  distinctly  ;  but 
I  could  hear  their  sound.     It  was  truly  a   solemn  and 
affecting  scene  to  me.     I    conjectured   that  as    their 
grandmother  had  been  in  her  life  time  a  pious  woman, 
and  often  prayed  with  them    and  for   them  ;  and  had 
admonished  them  to  seek  the   Lord  ;  they  now  went 
to  her  grave,  to  confess  their  former  neglect   and  ob- 
stinacy, and  to  pray  God  for  forgiveness.     I  then  broke 
out  and  said,  "O  my  God!  let  this  solemn  act  of  de- 
votion be  impressed  on  the  hearts  of  the  rising  gener- 
ation, who  disregard  the  council  and  prayers  of  their 
pious  parents  ;  lest  they,   like  these    damsels,    should 
have  to  go  to  their  graves,  and   weep  and   mourn  and 
pray,  and  confess,  over  their  bodies  which  moulder  in 
the  dust."     I  now  insert  it  with  the  same  desire  ;  and 
hope  that  my  young  readers  will  be  particularly   cau- 
tious of  disregarding  religious  instruction. 


104  LIFE  OF  JOHNCOLBT. 

On  the  16th  June,    being  the    Sabbath,  I  repaired 
to  the  water  and  baptized  tlie  before  mentioned  young 
women,  and  twenty  others,  mostly  young  people.  All 
these  publicly  manifested    their   laiih  in    Christ,   and 
cheerfully  followed  him  into  the  watery  grave  ;  while 
a  multitude  of  their  youthful   companions,  situated  on 
the  banks  of  the  river,  were  looking  on  :  some  weep- 
ing and  mourning,  others  laughing  and  scoffing.     The 
enemies  of  the  Lord  were  not  a  little  displeased  when 
they  saw  a  number  of  young  men   and  young    women 
forsaking  (hem.     One  circumstance  which  at  that  time 
seemed  to  aggravate  their  displeasure,  was,    that  they 
had  previously  appointed  to  celebrate  the  4tlTof  July, 
or  Independence,  as  they  call  it  ;  which  they  intended 
to  do,  by  frolicking,  dancing,  singing,  &c.     But  when 
they  saw  so  large  a  number  of  their    companions,  and 
some  who  were  expected  to  have  been  ilic  managers 
of  the  ball,  forsaking  them  to  follow  Christ,  they  hard- 
ly knew  what  to  do.     However,  the  residue  resolved 
not  to  be  hindered  ;  and    declared  they   would    have 
their  frolic,  let  the    consequence    be  what    it  would, 
notwithstanding  many  had  left  them.     Being   inform- 
ed that  I  was  to  preach  in  the  town  on  the  4th  of  Ju- 
ly, one  broke  out  in  a  rough  manner,  and  said,  "if  he 
attempts  the  thing,   I'll    give  my    brother  a    dollar  to 
make  him  a  coffin  ;  and  I'll  kill  him,  and  put  him  in- 
to it."     I  heard  of  their  threats  with  great  composure 
of  mind  ;  and  was  enabled,  both  in  public  and  private, 
to  address  them  in  tho  language  of  Paul,  Acts,xx.  24: 
"But  none  of  these  things    move  me,   neither   count  I 
my  life  dear  unto  myself;  so  that  1   might    finish  my 
course  with  joy,  and  the    ministry   which  I   have  re- 
ceived of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  testify  the  gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God."     1  found,  the  more  the  work  of  God 
was  opposed,  the    more   rapidly  it  spread.     While  I 
■was  in  Eato.T,  I  attended  meetings  day  and  night ;  and 
it  was  generally  the    case  that   some  were   converted 
in  every   meeting,    and    the    work   spread  gloriousl/ 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  COLBY.  105 

through    almost    every   neighborhood   in   the   town. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  I  attended  to  my  appointment. 
I  found  a  large  number  of  people  had  assembled  ;  and 
to  my  great  astonishment,  those  very  young  people, 
who  had  been  so  engaged  to  prepare  for  their  Inde- 
pendent frolic,  were  the  most  of  them  present  at  the 
meeting.  I  spake  from  Psal.  Ixxxix.  15  ;  "Blessed 
is  the  people  that  know  the  joyful  sound."  I  strove 
to  show  the  people,  the  difference  between  the  sound 
which  the  Psalmist  alluded  to,  and  that  sound  which 
attracts  the  ear  of  the  unconverted.  This  was  a  pre- 
cious day  to  believers,  and  an  alarming  day  to  poor 
sinners.  I  told  the  people  who  were  fond  of  orations 
on  independent  days,  I  would  read  them  one  delivered 
by  Jesus  Christ,  recorded  Matt.  xxv.  beginning  at  the 
81st  verse,  and  so_^  to  the  end  of  the  chapter.  I  then 
assured  them,  that  they  would  all  hear  this  oration  de- 
livered by  him  again  at  the  last  day.  Three  souls 
were  hopefully  converted  to  God  before  the  meeting 
closed;  after  which  we  repaired  to  the  water,  and  1 
baptized  seven. 

July  14lh,  being  Sabbath,  we  met  in  the  morning, 
at  the  water,  where  I  baptized  ten.  We  then  return- 
ed to  the  place  of  public  worship,  where  we  enjoyed 
the  peaceful  presence  of  God  through  the  day.  At 
the  close  of  worship  the  Lord's  Supper  was  adminis- 
tered, which  was  a  solemn  and  delightful  scene.  I 
was  astonished  and  overcome,  my  heart  ravished,  and 
my  soul  filled  with  transport  ;  so  that  I  could  scarcely 
contain  myself.  To  see  so  many  of  those  young  peo- 
plu,  that,  but  a  few  days  before  were  spending  their 
precious  time  in  ball-rooms,  and  other  carnal  merri- 
ments, now  uniting  with  their  pious  parents  and  sur- 
rounding the  Lord  s  table  ;  this  was  a  scene  more 
pleasin^^  to  me,  than  to  have  been  in  kings'  courts. 

On  Sabbath  day,  Aug  18,  1  preached  in  Eaton, 
baptized  eight  persons,  and  broke  bread  to  them 
again.  The  whole  number  baptized  by  me  in  that  town 


106  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT. 

was  46.  Besides  these,  I  trust  there  were  a  number 
that  experiencerJ  religion,  but  who  did  not  at  that  time 
submit  to  bfptism.  My  prayer  is,  that  the  ('hurch  in 
Eaton,  may  be  hke  that  at  Jerusalem  in  the  day  of 
Pentecost ;  which  continued  steadfast  in  the  apostle's 
doctrine  and  fellowship,  &c. 

Aug.  19th,  I  preached  at  Esq.  Blasdel's  in  the 
same  town.  A  man  met  me  at  the  door  and  presen- 
ted me  a  letter,  which  I  put  into  my  coat  pocket,  and 
went  into  the  house.  Being  unwell,  I  retired  to  an- 
other apartment.  The  weather  being  warm,  I  took 
off  my  coat  and  lay  down.  I  felt  an  impression  to 
read  my  letter.  I  immediately  arose,  opened  it,  and 
found  it  contained  one  dollar  with  these  words,  "The 
Lord  God  Omnipotent  Reigneth."  I  immediately 
left  the  bed,  repaired  to  the  place  of  worship,  and 
was  led  to  speak  from  the  same  words.  Before  the 
meeting  closed,  the  Lord  reigned  sure  enough,  b^aints 
rejoiced,  sitmers  trembled.  Eight  poor  sinners  fell 
prostrate  on  the  floor,  and  a  number  were  hopefully 
converted.  Here  I  must  not  forget  to  mention  one 
distinguishing  providence  of  God  towards  me,  in  the 
time  of  the  above  work.  Not  long  after  the  reforma- 
tion broke  out  in  Eaton,  I  left  an  appointment,  to  be 
there  on  the  Sabbath  ;  and  proceeded  to  Center-Har- 
bour, and  some  other  places  where  I  had  left  appoint- 
ments. On  Tuesda}^,  prior  to  my  appointment  at  Ea- 
ton, I  was  taken  sick  ;  but  through  much  weakness, 
made  out  to  get  back  to  Sandwich,  which  is  about  20 
or  25  miles  from  Eaton.  I  was  then  reduced  so  low, 
and  had  become  so  weak,  that  I  kept  my  bed  through 
the  day.  For  several  hours  in  the  afternoon  I  did  not 
speak  only  in  a  whisper.  In  the  evening,  Klder  Dan- 
iel Quimby  came  to  see  m.e,  and  when  he  understood 
my  appointment  at  Eaton,  on  the  Sabbath,  he  said 
there  would  be  a  great  congregation,  and  much  disap- 
pointment if  I  failed  attending  ;  and  said  I  must  go  on 
the  next  da}',  and  that  he   would  go   with   me.     He 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  107 

then  left  me.  The  next  morning,  he  came  early  with 
his  chaise,  and  told  me  I  must  go.  The  family  where 
I  was,  thought  it  presumption  to  attempt  it  ;  for  they 
did  not  suppose  that  I  was  able  to  sit  up.  However, 
I  made  out  to  get  into  the  chaise,  rode  a  few  miles, 
and  then  went  into  a  house  and  rested  a  while.  I 
then  went  on  again.  I  did  so  several  times,  in  the 
course  of  the  dayj  and  at  night  got  within  four  miles 
of  my  appointment.  Sabbath  day  morning,  we  went 
to  the  meeting  found  a  very  large  congregation  met  to 
hear  the  word  ;  and  notwithstanding  my  bodily  weak- 
ness, the  Lord  gave  me  strength  to  preach  to  them. 
In  the  afternoon,  we  left  the  house,  and  went  into  the 
field,  the  better  to  accommodate  the  people.  I  preach- 
ed from  Eccl.  xi.  9:  "  Rejoice  O  young  man,"  &c. 
That  meeting  will  doubtless  be  remembered  in  eterni- 
ty. Here  I  raised'an  Ebenezer,  and  said  'hitherto 
the  Lord  hath  helped  me  ;"  for  it  seemed  as  though 
a  cordial  was  immediately  administered  to  me  from 
heaven,  which  refreshed  and  supported  me,  both  ia 
body  and  mind.  And  notwithstanding  the  natural,  as 
well  as  the  spiritual  rain,  fell  on  the  assembly,  before 
1  had  done  speaking,  yet  I  received  no  damage.  For 
the  next  day,  I  felt  as  well  as  I  did  before  1  was  sick. 

"What  shall  I  render  to  my  God 
For  all  his  kindness  shown." 

The  reformation  in  Center  Harbor  began  on  the 
12th  of  May,  the  same  year.  On  that  day,  I  preach- 
ed there  for  the  first  time.  I  directed  my  discourse 
to  the  youth,  and  God  was  pleased  to  set  the  word 
home  to  their  hearts:  conviction  took  hold  of  the 
mnids  of  a  number.  I  believed  the  word,  like  good 
seed,  fell  into  good  and  honest  hearts.  I  visited  the 
place  about  one  week  afterwards,  and  found  a  refor- 
mation had  really  taken  place,  in  the  course  of  two 
or  three  days  five  or  six  young  people  were  hopefully 
converted  to  God.  From  this  the  work  spread  into 
nlmost  every  part  of  the  town. 


108  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

June  13th,  six  of  these  happy  converts,  manifested 
their  love  to  Christ,  by  following  him  in  baptism.  Not 
long  after,  eighteen  more,  at  different  times,  followed 
the  sameexample  ;  which  made  in  all  24  in  number. 
These  were  all  unmarried  people  ;  chiefly  young  mea 
and  women. 

July  7th,  I  preached  in  the  south  part  of  the  town, 
to  a  large  concourse  of  people,  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  whom^  belonged  in  Meredith,  (adjoining  Cen- 
ter Harbor  on  the  south,)  a  town  which  1  had  not  as 
yet  been  into.  But  while  I  was  speaking,  I  found  my 
mind  remarkably  drawn  out  in  prayer  for  that  people, 
And  looking  around  on  the  assembly,  I  said,  "the  work 
of  the  Lord  began  in  the  North  part  of  Center  Harbor, 
has  spread  to  the  south,  and  is  now  going  into  Mere- 
dith ;  look  out  young  people!  and  prepare  yourselves, 
for  the  coming  of  the  Lord  draweih  nigh!  }3e  care- 
ful to  entertain  the  heavenly  stranger,  whilst  he  is 
passing  through  the  town,  lest  he  pass  you  by,  and 
call  on  you  no  more."  Several  poor  sinners  left  the 
meeting,  deeply  wounded  in  heart  for  sin,  and  went 
home  weeping.  One  young  woman,  who  had  lately 
moved  from  Portsmouth,  was  so  alarmed,  that  after 
she'had  retired  to  her  bed  chamber,  she  arose  from 
her  bed  in  dead  of  night,  (as  I  was  informed,)  fell  on 
her  knees,  and  cried  to  God  for  mercy  ;  but  could 
find  no  rest  lo  her  soul  till  she  entered  into  a  covenant 
with  the  Lord,  that  she  woidd  go  to  meeting  the  next 
day,  and  in  the  presence  of  all  her  companions,  kneel 
down  and  pray.  [For  I  had  appointed  to  preach  at 
Meredith  the  next  day,  at  the  meeting  house,  at  9  o'- 
clock A.  M.]  I  accordingly  attended.  A  goodly 
number  of  people  met.  I  preached /rom  Prov.  viii. 
17  ;  "  for  I  love  them  that  love  me  ;  and  those  that 
seek  me  early  shall  find  me."  I  felt  the  love  of  God 
like  fire  shut  up  in  my  bones;  and  the  Lord  enabled 
me  to  give  every  one  his  portion  of  meal  in  due  sea- 
son.   Before  I  had  done  speaking,  a  cumber  weie 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  109 

melted  into  tears,  and  some  began  to  cry  for   mercy. 
Backsliders  trembled,  and  confessed  their  backslidings: 
and  the  place   began  to  be  glorious   and  awful   on  ac- 
count of  the  presence  of  God.     The  meeting  lasted 
till  dark,  without  intermission;  and  eight  souls  I  trust, 
were  really  Ci)nverted  to    God,  in    the  course    of  the 
meeting.     Still  to  heighten  the  joy  of  God's    people, 
a  number,  who  had  been  for  some  time  in  a  backslid- 
den state, came  home  to  their  Father's  house.  This  was 
a    glorious    day    of  Immanuel's    power.     But,    what 
might   have   reasonably  been   expected,   immediately 
took  place.     The  ungodly  were  greatly  displeased  to 
see  so  many  of  their  companions  forsaking  them  and 
turning  to  the  Lord.     A  little  before  I  had  done  speak- 
ing, one  young  man   sat  open  his   pew  door,  and   ap- 
parently in  a  great  rage,  rushed  out  of  the  house,  and 
kept  around  the   outside.      A  short  time  afttr,    while 
some  were  engaged  in  solemn  prayer  to  God,  for  poor 
sinners  who  wtre  then  in  distress,    and  crying  to    the 
Lord  to  have  mercy  On  them,  this   young    man  ap- 
proached the  door  a^ain  ;  and   seeing  one  of  his    sis- 
ters, weeping  and  crying  for  mercy,  he  re-entered  the 
house,  went  and  took  her  by  the  hand,  and  pulling  her 
from  her  seat,  said,  "come,  go  with  me."     ^he   an- 
swered, "  1  cannot  leave   the   house;"  and,  drawing 
her  hand  away,  she  sat  down  again.     He  renev.ed  his 
hold  a  second  time,  pulled  her  up,  saying,  -'you  shall 
go."     She  then  seeing  that  she  mnst  either  tonlk  out, 
or  be  dragcred  out,  yielded;  and  notwithstanding  she 
had  scarcely  strength  to  stand,   being  under    powerful 
conviction,  yet  he  made  her  walk  out,  and  led  her  a- 
way  to  a  house  near  by;  slie  begging  him  all  the  way 
to  let  her  go  back;  but  he  would  not.     After   getting 
her  to  the  house,  he  imniediately  sent  for  his  father  to 
come  to  his   assistance;  placing  himself  in  the   door, 
to  keep  the  people  of  God  from   entering  the  house 
while  she  sat  with  her  eyes  lifted   up  to  heaven,  tears 
rolling  down  her  cheeks,  and  every  little  while, 
10 


110  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

mournful  voice,  enough  to  have  affected  a  heart  of 
sTone,  cried  GOD  BE  MERCIFUL  TO  ME  A 
SINNEJi.  However,  he  soon  got  assistance.  Her 
fatiier  came  and  they  sat  her  on  a  horse;  one  of  her 
sisters  held  her  on,  and  her  brother  led  him  by  the 
bridle.  In  this  manner  they  went  home;  but  Jesus 
OF  Nazareth  followed  them.  For  soon  after,  the 
young  woman  was  converted;  she  came  out  very 
strong  and  bold,  and  began  to  warn  the  rest  of  the 
family.  Her  exhortations  had  a  good  effect;  and  soon 
after,  her  mother,  and  two  of  her  sisters,  professed  ex- 
perimental religion,  and  sat  out  lor  heaven  with  her. 
The  devil,  in  thi«  instance,  overshot  himself;  by  en- 
deavoring to  hold  one  of  his  subjects  by  force,  he  lost 
four.  Christ  is  stronger  than  the  strong  man  armed. 
From  this,  the  work  of  the  Lord  spread  through 
the  town.  Meetings  were  attended  day  and  night; 
and  I  scarcely  attended  a  meeting,  but  that  some  were 
hopefully  convened.  In  some  meetings,  as  many  as 
ten  or  twelve  would  profess  to  have  experienced  a  sa- 
ving change.  I  baptized  sixty-two  believers  in  the 
place,  at  different  times;  while  many  others  stood 
trembling,  and  waiting  to  hear  their  blessed  master 
say,  ''  and  now  why  tarriest  thou;  arise,  and  be  bap- 
tised," &c.  The  prospect  at  the  water,  at  times  of 
ba[)tism  was  almost  mdescribable.  The  ordinance 
was  administered  in  a  very  pleasant  pond,  which  seem- 
ed to  be  prepared,  by  the  Creator,  for  the  noble  pur- 
pose. It  was  but  a  short  distance  from  the  p'ace  of 
worship;  and  we  often  repaired  to  it,  to  attend  the 
glorious  institution  of  heaven,  while  the  spirit  of  God, 
like  a  peaceful  dove,  descended  upon  us.  O  how 
solemn,  beautiful  and  pleasant,  the  scene,  to  see  ten, 
twelve,  and  someiiuies  fif(een,  follow  their  blessed  Sa- 
viour down  into  the  water  at  one  time  ! — while  the 
shores  were  lined  with  ailentive  spectators,  and  boats 
filled  with  people  Irom  the  opposite  side  «)f  the  pond. 
It  seemed  sometimes  as  if  heaven  and  earth  had  come 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  HI 

together,  indeed;  while  the  converts  were  praising 
God,  and  singing  hallelujahs  to  the  Lamb.  I  have 
thought  it  a  prelude  of  the  day,  when  the  saints  shall 
be  made  equal  to  angels,  and  shine  forth  in  tlie  king- 
dom of  their  father  forever  and  ever. 

But,  before  1  pass  any  further,  I  would  just  remark, 
that  the  young  man  before  mentioned,  who  showed 
his  bravery  in  the  devil's  service,  was  soon  after  mar- 
ried- He  built  a  house,  and  moved  his  wife  home, 
with  the  most  sanguine  hope  of  terrestial  happiness; 
not  considering  that  he  was  at  the  same  time  engaged 
in  an  unequal  war.  In  a  (ew  days  he  was  taken  sick; 
a  sore  gathered  on  his  side  or  hip,  which  proved  very 
distressing,  and  brought  him  near  to  the  gate  of  death. 
But  he  recovered  again  in  some  measure,  so  as  to  be 
able  to  ride  out;  and  I  was  informed,  went  to  meet- 
ing. And  lest  tlie  people  should  think  that  he  had 
been  humbled  by  his  late  sickness,  he  walked  the 
broad  Isle  with  as  much  politeness  as  possible,  and 
made  all  the  presence  he  could.  His  pride,  howev- 
er, was  soon  stained.  He  returned  home  and  the 
Lord  brought  him  down  again.  His  sore  grew  worse, 
and  at  the  last  account  1  had  of  him,  he  lay  under  the 
doctor's  hands,  and  his  life  was  despaired  of.  I  men- 
tion this  as  a  warning  to  those,  who  shall  hereafter  live 
ungodly;  that  they  may  take  warning  and  flee  from 
the  wrath  to  come,  and  lay  hold  on  eternal  life.  I  at- 
tended several  funerals  in  the  town,  in  the  course  of 
the  summer.  Among  others,  the  funeral  of  a  man 
who  died  of  about  middle  age.  His  wife  and  one 
child,  who  were  buried  about  six  or  eight  years  be- 
fore, were,  by  his  request,  dug  up  and  buried  along 
with  him  in  another  place.  This  was  a  very  solemn 
scene;  especially  for  the  two  orphan  daughters,  to  see 
their  father  and  mother  lie  side  by  side  in  their  cof- 
fins. O  may  the  Lord  be  a  father  to  the  poor  little 
fatherless  children.  The  alarm  in  Meredith  was  very 
solemn,  both  in  mercies  and  judgments.     Two  breth- 


112  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

ren,  one  of  whom  belonged  in  this  town  and  the  other 
in  Centre  Harbor,  at  two  different  times,  heard  me 
pray  in  the  air,  when  I  was  many  miles  from  them; 
arid  said  they  could  hear  the  words  which  I  used, 
plainly  and  distinctly,  and  that  my  voice  sounded  per- 
ectly  natural.  They  thought,  for  a  while,  that  1 
must  be  somewhere  near;  until  they  recollected  that 
I  was  a  great  way  off.  'J'hey  observed  that  the  speak- 
ing, was  in  the  air  above  them,  'ibis  happened  about 
the  beginning  of  the  reformation.  In  the  course  of 
the  summer,  I  preached  occasionally  in  a  number  of 
towr.5,  besides  those  already  mentioned,  viz. — New- 
Hampton,  Holderness,  Campton,  Thornton,  Burton, 
Conway,  Bartlett,  Adams,  Effingham,  Porter,  Parsons- 
field,  Ussipee,  Gilmanton,  &c.  and  saw  the  work  of 
the  Lord  in  about  every  place. 

On  the  3d  of  June,  being  previously  sent  for,  I 
went  to  Moultonborough,  and  made  an  appointment  to 
preach  in  that  town  on  the  26th  of  the  same  month. 
When  I  got  to  the  meeting,  I  found  the  house  filled 
vvith  people;  as  I  entered  the  door  I  felt  impressed  to 
sing.  I  accordingly  began  a  very  solemn  hymn,  and 
continued  smging  as  I  walked  into  the  house,  until  I 
closed  the  hymn.  I  immediately  discovered  that  it 
had  a  powerful  effect  on  the  minds  of  some.  One 
careless,  hardened  man,  who  had  been  an  opposer  of 
religion,  was  so  struck,  that  he  could  hardly  refrain 
crying  out.  Meeting  began  about  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 
and  lasted  till  dark.  A  number  professed  to  find 
peace  to  their  souls  in  the  course  of  the  meeting. — 
From  this,  the  work  of  the  Lord  spread  in  a  glorious 
manner.  I  baptized  seventeen  persons  in  that  place, 
in  the  course  of  the  summer.  1  also  baptized  two  in 
Campton,  and  two  in  Holderness.  In  the  last  men- 
tioned town,  there  was  an  appearance  of  a  glorious  re- 
formation; but  party  spirit  got  in  among  professors, 
and  like  a  chilly  frost  nipped  it  in  the  bud. 

"  The  peaceful  Spirit,  like  a  dove, 

Flies  from  the  realms  of  noise  and  strife." 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBY.  113 

August  31st,  I  preached  at  widow  Thompson's,and 
the  power  of  the  Lord  seemed  to  rest  on  the  assem- 
bly. After  I  began  to  preach,  a  number  of  young 
people  came  into  the  meeting  showing  a  great  deal  of 
pride  and  carelessness.  One  young  woman,  in  par- 
ticular, appeared  very  light  and  cainal,  as  she  came 
on  the  road  to  meeting.  Being  told  by  one  of  the 
company,  that  she  would  cry  before  the  meeting  was 
done;  she  protested  that  she  would  not,  if  one  half  of 
the  meeting  died. 

As  this  young  woman  entered  the  meeting,  and 
passed  me  I  felt  a  very  solemn  impression  on  my 
mind  concerning  her,  though  I  never  saw  her  before; 
this  being  the  first  time  that  I  had  preached  in  that 
part  of  the  town.  Before  I  ended  speaking,  I  ob- 
served that  there  was  a  certain  young  woman  in  the 
meeting,  who  without  repentance  would  be  called  out 
of  tirne  in  a  few  days;  and  described  her  so  near, that 
she  and  many  others  knew  who  I  meant.  The  Wed- 
nesday following  she  was  taken  sick,  and  grew  worse 
very  fast,  until  Friday  night,  at  which  time  they  tho't 
she  was  near  dying.  She  however  continued  in  about 
the  same  situation  until  sabbath  day,  which  was  the 
8th  of  September.  Some  of  the  family  told  me,  that 
they  thought  that  there  were  as  many  as  200  people 
who  came  in  that  day  to  see  her  die.  I  was  informed 
by  her  mother,  that  she  was  so  weak,  that  she  could 
not  admit  more  than  three  or  four  persons  into  the 
room  at  a  time,  without  fainting.  It  so  happened, 
that  I  preached  that  day  within  four  or  five  miles  of 
the  place.  She  hearing  of  it,  sent  express  word  to 
nie  to  come  and  see  her,  and  also  to  appoint  a  meet- 
ing there  that  evening.  Some  of  the  family,  and 
neighbors,  struck  very  hard  against  it,  and  said  it 
would  kill  her.  But  she  would  not  give  it  up.  I 
made  an  appointment  and  got  there  a  little  before  dark. 
1  found  about  a  hundred  people  collected.  I  went  in- 
to the  room  and  conversed  with  her;  but,  she   being 


IM  LirE  or  JOHN  colbt. 

weak,  could  speak  but  a  (evr  words.     I  then  repaired 
to  the  doors,  which  opened  into  three  rooms  and  felt 
nothing  special  to  say  to  her,  until  1  had   finished  my 
sermon.     I  then  turned  about  and  looked  towards  her; 
and,  calling  her   by  name,  I  told    her  that  Christ    had 
power,  when  on  earlh,  to  cast  out  devils,  healtl>e  sick, 
raise  the  dead,  &c.;  that  his  power  was  (he  same  now 
that  it  was  then  ;    that  he  was  able  to   raise  her  in  a 
moment;  give  her  strength  to  stand  on  her  feet;  con- 
vert her  soul;  give  her  a  tongue  to  praise  his  heaven- 
ly name  and  to  warn  her   ungodly  mates  around  her. 
I  then  broke  out  in  prayer  to  the  Lord  God,  to  have 
naercy  on  her,  to  restore  ber   1o  health,   and    convert 
her  soul.     I  had  faith  to  believe  that  the   Lord  would 
answer  prayer;  and  that  I  should  see  her  arise  on  her 
feet,  and  praise  his    heavenly  name.     She  broke   out 
in  prayer  about  the  time  I  did,  and   continued    crying 
for  mercy,  about  fifteen    minutes;  at  which  time    she 
suddenly  rose  on  her  feet,   notwithstanding  they  had 
been  swoln  all   the  day,  that  she  could   not  bear  any 
heavy  weight  on  them  at  all.     She   advanced  to    the 
door,  and  as  she  passed  by  one  of  her  sisters,  clasped 
her  in  her  arms,  and  spake  to  her  in  a  most   affecting 
manner.     And  coming  to  the  door,  she  boldly   told 
the  people,  that  Jesus  Christ  was  her  physician,    and 
that  he  healed  her,  soul  and  body.     She  then  contin- 
ued praising  God  in  a  most  solemn  manner,  about  the 
space  of  an  hour.     Many  in  the  assembly  shed  tears 
if»hile  they  heard  her  relate    what  the  Lord  had   done 
for  her.     Others  appeared  to  be  frightened    and  were 
in  doubt,  ready  to  lay  violent  hands  on   her  and  con- 
fine her  to  the  bed.     But  she  told    them  she  was  well 
as  ever  she  was.     For,  said  she,  Jesus  lias  healed  me; 
and  I  am  determined  to  praise  him  through  life,  thro' 
death,  and  in  a  vast  eternity.     •'  And  she   was  made 
whole  from  that  hour." 

I  continued  preaching  in  the  towns  before  named, 
till  the  fore  part  of   October ;  at  which  time  I  left 


LIFE    OF   JOHN  COLST.  115 

New-Hampshire,  and  returned  to  Vermont.  I  arri- 
ved at  my  lather's,  on  the  evening  of  the  5th  of  Oc- 
tober, at  a  late  hour  ;  and  finding  the  family  asleep  I 
retired  to  my  bedroom,  thanked  the  Lord  for  his 
goodness  and  sparing  mercy  to  me,  and  lay  down. — 
Next  morning,  when  the  family  arose,  we  had  a  joy- 
ful meeting  ;  my  heart  was  filled  with  gratitude  to  find 
them  all  alive  and  well.  It  being  Sabbath,  I  felt 
myself  unspeakably  happy,  in  going  in  company  with 
my  dear  relatives,  to  the  place  of  worship  ;  where  I 
had  the  inexpressible  pleasure  of  seeing  the  faces  of 
my  brethren  in  Christ,  and  uniting  in  solemn  devotion 
with  them. 

The  next  Sabbath,  I  also  preached  in  Billymead, 
and  continued  in  and  about  that  place  till  the  18th  of 
the  same  month  ;  at  which  time  I  went  to  New  Con- 
cord, N.  H.  to  attend  a  quarterly  meeting,  which  was 
holden  on  the  19th  and  20th  of  the  same  month. — 
The  first  day  of  the  meeting,  a  large  number  of  Elders 
and  brethren  a»sembled.  We  had  a  good  time. — 
The  second  day  the  congregation  was  much  larger  ; 
and  the  power  of  the  Most  High,  was  visibly  display- 
ed in  the  meeting.  Some  preached,  some  prayed, 
some  exhorted,  some  confessed  their  backsliding,  and 
others  cried  for  mercy. 

October  2ist,  I  returned  to  Billymead  ;  preached, 
and  visited  in  that  town,  and  in  the  town  of  Burk,  till 
the  next  Saturday  ;  at  which  time  a  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing began  at  Billymead — being  the  26th  of  the  nionth. 
Nothing  special  took  place  the  first  day  ;  but  on  the 
second  day  of  the  meeting,  we  had  an  extraordinary 
season.  It  was  a  stormy  day,  but  a  large  number 
collected.  The  exercise  began  with  singing,  pray- 
ing, and  giving  glory  to  God,  which  lasted  lor  some 
time,  and  after  a  short  cessation,  I  felt  much  im- 
pressed to  speak  from  the  word  love  ;  and  I  can 
truly  say,  I  felt  my  heart  filled  with  it  both  to  saints 
and  sinners.     It  was  said  by  others  that  I  spoke  near 


116  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

two  hours  ;  but  it  seemed  to  me  but  a  few  minutes. 
Towards  the  close,  it  really  seemed  as  if  the  very  air 
was  love  ;  and  I  felt  for  a  season,  as  though  1  had 
launched  into  an  ocean  which  had  neither  bottom, 
bank,  nor  shore  ;  and  could  only  express  myself,  by 
borrowing  the  language  of  a  certain  author  : — 

"  Should  the  whole  sea  be  turned  to  ink, 

Were  the  whole  earth  a  parrhraent  made, 
And  every  single  stick  a  quill, 

And  every  man  a  scribe  by  trade, 
To  write  the  love  of  God  to  man — 

'Twould  drain  the  ocean  dry  ; 
Nor  would  the  scroll  contain  the  w-hole, 

Though  stretched  from  sky  to  sky." 

At  the  close  of  this  meeting,  I  bid  farewell  to  my 
dear  relatives  and  friends,  in  that  region,  and  sat  off 
to  travel  into  the  Eastern  country  ;  having  for  my 
companion,  Jonathan  Colby,  my  natural  brother. — 
We  W'cnt  that  evening  as  far  as  St  Johnsbury. 

Monday  and  Tuesday,  we  proceeded  as  far  as 
Meredith,  N.  H. 

Wednesday,  October  30th,  I  preached  in  that 
town  at  the  meeting-house  ;  and  after  meeting,  trav- 
elled as  far  as  Center  Harbor,  where  we  attended  a 
meeting  in  the  evening. 

Thursday,  we  went  to  Eaton,  where  [  preached  in 
the  afternoon  ;  and  to  my  great  joy  found  the  breth- 
ren in  that  town  well  engaged. 

Friday  Xov.  1st,  we  went  to  ParsonsGeld,  and 
attended  a  meeting  in  the  evening. 

Saturday  morning,  we  went  to  Buxton,  to  attend 
the  yearly  meeting,  which  was  holden  in  that  town. 
A  goodly  number  collected,  and  we  enjoyed  the  pres- 
ence of  God  through  the  day.  In  the  evening,  meet- 
ings of  worship  were  holden  in  different  parts  of  the 
town. 

Sabbath  day,  Xov.  3d,  yearly  meeting  continued. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  117 

A  very  large  concourse  of  people  collected  in  and 
about  the  meeting  house.  The  servants  of  Christ, 
like  the  wise  virgins,  had  their  lamps  trimmed  and 
burning.  They  spake,  one  by  one,  in  quick  succes- 
sion, in  prayer,  and  by  exhortation  ;  and  made  many 
pertinent  observations.  The  exercise  continued  ia 
this  form  for  some  time  ;  and  when  this  ended,  after 
a  little  silence,  Elder  John  Buzzell,  an  humble 
servant  of  JESUS  CHRIST,  and  able  mmister  of  the 
New  Testament,  arose,  and  delivered  a  sermon  from 
Acts  xvii.  7  ;  "  Saying  that  there  is  another  King, 
one  Jesus."  The  whole  scope  of  his  sermon  was  to 
set  forth  Jesus  Christ.  He  first  described  his  person. 
2.  His  condescension.  3.  His  humiliation.  4. 
His  life  and  doctrine.  5.  His  death  and  sufferings. 
6.  His  resurrectit)n  and  ascension.  7.  His  inter- 
cession with  his  Father  ;  and  by  his  Spirit,  with  the 
children  of  men.  He  spake  of  his  kingdom,  of  his 
subjects,  of  his  laws,  the  order  of  his  house,  his  love- 
liness, &c.  When  he  ended,  I  felt  impressed  to  speak 
from  John  ix.  27  ;  "  Will  ye  also  be  his  disciples  ?" 
And  I  have  reason  to  believe,  that  before  the  close  of 
the  meeting,  a  number  answered  in  the  affirmative. — 
Many  cried  to  the  Lord  for  mercy. 

Sabbath  day  evening,  I  preached  at  Gorham,  in  the 
meeiing-house  at  Fort  hill,  to  a  crowded  assembly. 

Monday,  I  went  back  to  Buxtoh,  and  attended  the 
Elder's  meeting.  In  the  evening,  we  attended  a 
meeting  of  worship,  where  we  saw  several  souls 
hopefully  converted. 

Tuesday  evening,  I  preached  again  at  Gorham  ;  I 
had  a  heavenly  season  at  brother  Clement's  house, 
and  also  at  brother  Baker's 

Wednesday  afternoon,  Nov.  6th,  I  preached  in 
Portland 

Nov.  7ih,  we  left  Portland,  and  sat  off  for  Belfast, 
%vhich  lies  on  Penobscot  JJay.  We  went  that  day  as 
far  as  Brunswick,  and  attended  a  meeting  in  the  after- 
noon. 


113  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBT. 

Nov.  8th,  we  crossed  Kennebeck  river,  and  atten- 
ded a  meeting  in  the  evening,  at  Woolvvich.  The 
next  day  we  tarried  there  ;  and  on  the  Sabbath,  Nov. 
lOih,  I  preached  in  Woolwich,  both  in  the  day  and 
evening. 

Monday,  Nov.  11th,  my  brother  conchided  to  leave 
me,  and  return  home  to  his  family.  Accordingly,  we 
gave  each  other  the  parting  hand  ;  and  wishing  a 
blessing,  we  bid  each  other  an  affectionate  farewell. 
My  brother  returned  homeward  ;  and  I  crossed  over 
to  Squam-Island,  where  I  attended  a  meeting  in  the 
evening. 

Tuesday,  Nov.  12th,  I  went  to  Edgcomb  ;  and  in 
the  evening  preached  to  a  careless,  inattentive  assem- 
bly of  youth.     It  was,  however,  a  pretty  solemn  time. 

Wednesday,  Nov.  I'Jth,  I  preached  both  in  the 
day  and  evening,  in  the  same  town. 

Thursday,  Nov.  14th  I  went  as  far  as  Warren,  and 
preached  in  the  evening,  at  the  house  of  Deacon 
Crafford,  a  baptist;  and  pilgrim,  travelling  towards 
Zion. 

Friday,  Nov.  lith,  I  went  to  Camden.  The  16th, 
I  went  to  Linconville,  and  attended  a  meeting  in  the 
evening.  I  also  tarried  on  the  I7t>j,  it  being  the  Sab- 
bath, and  attended  meeting  in  the  day  and  evening  — 
Monday,  Nov.  8th,  I  went  to  Belfast  ;  and  in  the 
evening,  preached  at  Maj.  Cunningham's,  at  what  is 
called  the  upper  Bridge.  Tuesday,  I  went  to  the 
west  part  of  the  town,  and  found  brother  Bean,  who 
had  lately  moved  to  that  place  from  Sandwich,  N.  H. 
I  was  greatly  rejoiced  to  find  him  and  his  wife  en- 
gaged in  religion.  They  desired  me  to  stop  and 
preach  with  them  in  the  evening.  I  accordingly  did. 
and  we  had  a  good  time.  A  young  woman,  who 
came  with  them  from  Sandwich,  and  had  been  one  of 
my  schoolmates,  was  struck  under  conviction,  and  was 
soon  afttr  converted. 

Wednesday,  I   went  back  to  what    is  called  the 


LIFE  OF    JOHN   COLBT.  119 

Beacli,  to  a  village  situated  on  the  shore  of  the  Bay. 
I  preached  there  in  the  evening. 

Thursday,  Nov.  21st,  being  Thanksgiving  day,  I 
notified  a  meeting  at  the  same  place.  As  1  came  to 
my  appointment,  I  found  a  man  drunk  in  the  road, 
and  when  I  entered  the  hall,  I  found  my  congregation 
consisted  of  only  three  persons  two  of  whom  went  in 
company  with  me.  I  sung  a  hymn,  prayed,  and  left 
the  village.  1  then  went  again  to  the  west  part  of  the 
town,  and  stayed  that  night  at  brother  Bean's  ;  we 
experienced  a  happy  season.  The  yonng  woman 
above  mentioned,  experienced  a  pardon  of  her  sins. 
The  next  evening,  I  preached  at  Watson's  tavern. 
And  Saturday,  Nov.  23d,  I  left  Belfast,  and  went  to 
Knox. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  24th,  and  Monday  following,  both 
in  the  hays  and  evenings,  we  had  good  seasons. 

Tuesday,  Nov-  26th,  I  went  over  to  what  is  called 
the  South  Ridge,  and  preached,  and  I  think  I  never 
saw  a  cnore  solemn  season.  Several  backsliders  cried 
to  the  Lord,  and  besought  him  to  restore  to  them  the 
joys  of  his  salvation. 

Wednesday,  Nov.  2Gth,  I  went  with  brother  Ham- 
lin, a  preacher  who  lives  in  Knox,  to  Jackson,  a  town 
where  he  had  been  preaching,  and  a  number  had  been 
lately  converted.  We  attended  meeting  with  them 
in  the  afternoon,  and  thougiu  that  there  was  an  ap- 
pearance of  an  increase  of  the  work.  In  the  evening, 
we  attended  a  meeting  in  the  edge  of  Washington. — 
The  house  was  crowded  with  people  ;  and  almost  the 
whole  assembly  entered  into  a  covenant  to  strive  for 
heaven.  Next  morning  I  left  them,  not  expecting 
ever  to  see  them  again  till  the  general  assize. 

Thursday,  Nov.  28th,  I  attended  another  meeting 
with  brother  Hanlin,  in  Jackson  ;  and  after  meeting, 
I  baptized  three.  We  attended  another  meeting  in 
the  evening,  in  the  same  neisihborhood.  I  then  took 
my  leave  of  the   brethren  in  that  town,  having  made 


120  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

.  them  but  a  short  visit  ;  though  I  trust  a  profitable  one. 
«^    J.eaviiig  Jackson,    we    returned    to    Knox,  and  at- 
tended a  meeting  in  the  evening  ; — two  or  three  pro- 
fessed to  experience  a  change. 

Sabbath  day,  December  1st,  having  been  informed 
of  a  quarterly    meeting  to  be  holden  at  Montville,  I 
felt  anxious  to  attend  it.     I  accordingly  set  ofl' early 
and  went  to  the  place   appointed.      1  found   the  place 
to  be  a  handsome  well  settled  town,  containing  a  large 
number  of  inhabitants.      I  got  to  the  place  of  worship 
just  as    the    meeting    began.     I    went    in   among  the 
crowd,  being  a   stranger  to  them  all,  and  all  of  them 
strangers  to  me,  excepting  a  number  who  came  with 
me  from  Knox.     Meeting    being  opened    by  praise^ 
prayer,  and  exhortation,  the  lot  fell  on  me  to  preach. 
1  spoke  from  Revelation  xiv.  G,  7  ;  "  And  I  saw  an- 
other angel  fij  into  the  midst    of  heaven,    having  the 
everlasting  Gospel  to  preach  unto  them  tliat  dwell  on 
the  earth,    and    to    every    nation,   and   kindred,    and 
tongue,  and  people  ;  saying  with  a  loud  voice,  Fear 
God,  and  give  glory  to  him  ;  (or  the  hour  of  his  judg- 
ment is  come  ;  and   worship   him    that    made  heaven 
and  earth,  the  sea,  and  the  fountains  of  waters."     'J'he 
Lord  set  home  the  word  on    the  mind?  of  the  peo])le. 
The  two  words, ^ear  God   went  through  the  assembly 
like  arrows,  and  many  poor   sinners    were  pricked  in 
their  hearts.     As   near  as  1    could  learn   afterwards, 
about  30  persons  dated  their  experience  at  that  meet- 
ing.    In  the  evening,  I    preached    again   at  the  same 
place  ;    and  took  my  leave   of  the    people,  ex})fecting 
to  leave  the  town  the  next  day.     I  stayed  that  night 
at  Deacon  True's  and  had   a  solemn    time  in  conver- 
sation with  his  sons. 

Monday  morning,  I  took  up  my  horse,  with-  a  de- 
termination to  leave  the  town  and  return  to  Vermont. 
But  1  had  not  gone  over  half  a  mile,  when  1  met  a 
number  going  to  the  house  where  1  sta}ed,  to  per- 
suade me  to  tarry  a  w^hile  in  that  town,     1  thought  at 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  121 

first  I  could  not  ;  but  they  were  so  urgent,  and  so 
positive  that  there  would  be  a  reformation  if  I  tarried, 
1  began  to  look  at  it,  and  concluded  that  it  was  not 
impossible,  but  that  the  Lord  had  spoken  by  them. — 
1  therefope  consented,  and  told  them  they  might  ap- 
point a  meeting  for  me  in  the  evening  at  Deacon 
True's.  I  accordingly  attended,  and  some  were 
struck  under  conviction. 

Tuesday,  Decem.ber  3d,  by  request,  I  went  back 
to  Belfast,  and  preached  at  brother  Bean's.  At  the 
close  of  worship,  I  baptized  one  person. 

Wednesday,  December  4th,  in  the  afternoon,  I 
preached  at  Montville,  and  was  impressed  to  speak  to 
the  young  people,  who  heard  me  with  candour.  The 
same  evening,  I  preached  in  a  large  school- house,  in 
another  part  of  the  town,  to  a  crowded  assembly. — 
Many  were  very  s'olemn  ;  but,  apparently,  there  was 
but  a  small  prospect  of  a  reformation  in  that  meeting. 
Those  who  felt  the  mo^t,  endeavoured  to  keep  their 
feelings  concealed.  But,  their  conviction  wrought 
like  fire  hidden  under  the  turf.  It  soon  began  to 
break  out.  After  meeting,  I  went  to  Captain  Demer- 
it's and  put  up  He  and  his  wife  were  professors.  I 
tried  to  pi  ay  in  the  family,  but  had  but  little  freedom. 
I  retired  to  bed  but  ielt  much  tried,  tempted,  cast 
down,  and  afflicted.  I  slept  but  little  during  the 
night.  The  next  morning,  December  5th,  I  arose 
early,  but  knew  not  what  to  do,  nor  which  way  logo  ; 
for  1  felt  almost  in  despair  of  seeing  a  reformation  in 
Montville.  And  as  I  was  expected  to  be  in  a  num- 
ber of  places  westward,  1  knew  not  how  to  stay. — 
Howevei-,  1  concluded  to  ask  wisdom  of  God  ;  and 
accordingly  repaired  to  a  grove,  where  [,  by  prayer, 
opened  my  situation  to  Rim.  While  imploring  his 
guidance,  I  asked  of  him  a  sign  whereby  I  might  cer- 
tainly know  his  will  concerning  me.  It  seemed  as 
though  I  heard  or  perceived  an  internal  voice,  saying 
to  me,  arise,  and  return  to  the  house,  and  there  shalt 
11 


122  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

thou  have  an  Immediate  answer.     And   as  soon  as  I 
returned,  the  sign  was  given  me.     Yet,  hke  (iideon, 
I  wanted  a  second  sign.     I  then  told  the  family  with 
a  riimiher  of  others  who  were  occasionally  there,  the 
trials  I  had  j)assed  through  respecting  my  duty  ;  and 
that  I  felt  as  if  the  case  would  be  immediately  deci- 
ded.    I  also  told  them    that    I    wanted    to  jn.iy  with 
them  before  1  went    away  ;  and    if  it   was  tlie  will  of 
God  that  1  should    stay    any    longer    in  the  place,  he 
would  convert  one  of  the  youths  in  the  family,  before 
I  should  rise  from  my  knees  ;  but  if  it  was  my  duty 
to  leave  the  country,  I  should  see  no  more  converted 
there.     I  then  kneeled  down  and  began  to  pray  ;  and 
had  prayed  but  a  short  time  when  the  eldest  daugh- 
ter fell,  and  in  a  few  mmutes,  a    second  followed  the 
example.     'I  hey  both   continued   crying  to  the  Lord 
for  mercy,  till  they    obtained   a  pardon  of  their  sins  ; 
and  then  arose  and   praised  the   (Jod  of  Heaven.     In 
the  meantime,  an  unconverted  young  man  fell  before 
the  J.ord,  and  pleaded  for    the  pardon  of  his  sins. — 
His  prayer,  1  trust,    was  in    some    good  measure  an- 
swered ;  and  I  lelt  fully  satisfied  that  it  was  my  duty 
to  s;ay.     The  Lord  rendered  to  me  double  to  what  I 
expected  or  asked    of  him.     I    then    left  that  part  of 
the  town  and  returned  to  Deacon  True's.     As  I  was 
on  my  way,  I  called  to  a  house  where  a  young  marri- 
ed couple  lived  ;  and    after    talking    with  them  a  few 
minutes  I  prayed  with  them.     The  Lord  heard  pray- 
er ;  the  woman  of  tjje  house,  and  her  sister,  both  fell 
on  their  knees,  and  prayed  in  a  most  fervent  manner, 
till  they  obtained  an  evidence  that  their  sins  were  for- 
given.    The  01  her  converts,  having  accompanied  me 
to  the  house,  joined  these,  and  united  to  praise  their 
great  deliverer.     I  arrived  at   Deacon  True's,  just  as 
the  young  men  returned  from  the  raising  of  a  mill.     I 
sal  down  and  began  to  speak  to  them  of  the  goodness 
of  God,  in  preserving  their  lives  through  the  dangers 
of  the  day.     I  also  spake   to  them   of  the  wonderful 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBF.  123 

pisplay  of  the  povveo  and  goodness  of  God,  which  had 
been  manifested  the  day  past  in  the  conversion  of  a 
number  of  their  companions.  Observing  their  atten- 
tion and  candour,  and  the  solemnity  which  appeared 
to  rest  on  their  countenances  ;  I  was  convinced  that 
the  good  spirit  of  the  Lord,  was  powerfully  striving 
with  ihein.  At  length,  I  with  several  others  tliatcame 
with  me  ;  the  deacon,  his  wife,  and  one  dau'^hter,  all 
kneeled  down  and  prayed.  The  Deacon's  four  sons, 
and  his  niece,  stood  up  as  spectators.  After  some  of 
the  brethren  had  prayed  I  felt  an  uncommon  weight 
of  the  worth  of  souls  ;  and  the  reality  of  eternal 
things  rolled  in  upon  my  mind.  Under  a  sense  of 
these  things,  I  began  to  pray,  that  the  Lord  would 
have  mercy  on  the  unconverted  youth  that  were  pres- 
ent. The  more  I  prayed  the  m  jre  weight  and  travel 
of  soul  I  felt,  till  ft  seemed  as  though  1  could  never 
cease  praymg  for  them,  until  I  could  see  them  submit 
themselves  to  God.  Some  supposed  that  I  continued 
in  prayer  about  the  space  of  an  hour.  But  it  seemed 
to  me  but  a  few  minutes.  For  I  was  so  carried  out 
in  the  spirit,  and  swallowed  up  in  love  to  God,  and 
precious  souls,  that  I  even  lost  the  sense  of  the  mo- 
tion of  time  ;  and  felt  like  one  unbodied,  bowing  be- 
fore tlie  throne  of  God,  and  basking  in  the  beams  of 
unsullied  glory.  In  this  time,  the  power  of  God  was 
marvellously  displayed,  and  seemed  to  sweep  through 
the  room,  like  a  shock  of  li£:htning  which  sweeps  all 
before  it.  Every  person  in  the  house,  who  had  been 
standing,  fell  before  the  Lord,  and  no  longer  paid  at- 
tention to  the  prayers  of  others  ;  but,  under  deep  con- 
trition, confessed  their  sins,  each  for  himself  or  her- 
self, and  supplicated  the  tlirone  of  grace,  for  pardon 
and  mercy.  They  appeared  to  be  deaf  and  blind  to 
pvery  thing  but  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  solemn 
exercise  continued  without  intermission,  about  the 
space  of  four  hours  ;  at  the  expiration  of  which  time, 
a  solemn  pause  took    place.     Nearly    at  the  same  in- 


l24  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

stant,  every  one  found  deliverance,  and  immediately 
arose,  and  praised  God  for  the  gieai  thing  he  l)a(l  done 
for  their  souls.  These  people  have  since  given  (he 
greatest  proof  of  their  being  changed  from  nature  to 
jirace,  both  by  word  and  deed.  'J  hese  young  men, 
belonging  to  a  respectable  family,  and  being  reckoned 
among  the  first  class  in  town  ;  it  gave  a  heavy  shock 
through  the  neighborhood,  when  it  was  noised  abroad 
that  they  had  believed  in  Christ,  and  embraced  reli- 
gion. The  young  converts  began  immediately  to  visit 
their  associates,  and  to  call  on  their  gay  companions, 
10  flee  from  the  v\rath  to  come. 

From  that  time,  meetings  were  requested  in  every 
part  of  the  town  ;  and  1  attended  day  and  night,  to  the 
glorious  work.  The  reformation  began  to  spread  in 
a  most  powerful  manner  ;  so  that  in  the  course  of 
about  two  weeks,  upwards  of  fifty  persons  professed 
to  be  converted,  'ihe  work  was  so  sudden,  and  so 
])0werful,  that  it  soon  bore  down  all  opposition.  For 
those  who  had  been  the  greatest  opposers  to  religion, 
became  helpers  in  the  work,  and  its  greatest  advo- 
cates. Time  would  fail  me,  to  give  my  readei's  the 
particulars  of  every  meeting  ;  though  I  am  confident, 
too  much  could  not  be  said,  about  a  work  so  glorious 
and  solemn,  and  so  interesting  to  mankind.  I  cr.nnot, 
however,  do  justice  to  my  feelings,  without  making  a 
brief  remark,  on  a  few  remarkable  occurrences,  which 
took  place  in  the  time  of  the  reformation. 

On  the  first  day  of  January,  1812,  I  was  invited  to 
preach  at  the  house  of  a  young  man,  who  had  been 
lately  married.  A  ball  having  been  previously  ap- 
))ointed  at  the  house,  at  the  same  time,  he  said  he 
would  willingly  e;ive  it  up,  for  the  sake  of  having  a 
meeting  of  worship.  I  accepted  the  invitation  ;  and 
when  1  came  to  the  place,  I  felt  an  unusual  solemnity 
resting  on  my  mind.  And  as  it  was  the  beginning 
of  a  new  year,  I  earnestl}'  prayed  that  something  glo- 
rious and  memorable,  might  take  place  that  day,  at 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  COLBT.  125 

that  meeting.     After  I  had  done   preaching,  I  renew- 
ed my  petition  '.  and  as  I  had  observed  three  young 
women,  who  sat   near  by,    on   one    seat,   dressed  in 
mourning  for  the  loss  of  their  mother,  who  had  given 
them  the  parting  hand,  but  a  few  days  before  ;  1  lelt 
a  cry  begotten  in  my  heart,  that   God  would  convert 
them  ;  and  that  the  new-year's  day,  might  be  the  be- 
ginning of  days  to  them.     As  I  thus  prayed,  they  all 
fell  on  their  knees,    and  joined    with    me   in  prayer  ; 
and  continued  praying   for  several  hours,  till  they  all 
found  a  degree  of  peace.     They  soon  after  came  oul 
boldly,  professed  their  faith  in  Christ,  and  engaged  in 
the  cause  of  God  ;  and  so  they  remain.     The  man  of 
the  house,  and  his  wife   both  professed  to  find  rest  to 
their  souls  the  same  evening.     This  was  a  happy  ex- 
change indeed  :  ta  exchange  a  sinful  ball,  for  a  meet- 
ing of  worship  ;  and  a   state  of  sinful    nature,   for  a 
state  of  savmg  grace.     I  also  would  remark,  that  the 
ordinance  of  baptism  was    in  this   place  remarkably 
blessed  as  a  means  of  awakening  the  unconverted,  as 
well  as  the  answering  of  a  good  conscience,   in    those 
converted  ;  who  thereby  publicly  professed  their  faith 
in  the  death,  burial,  and  resurrection    of  Christ,    and 
manifested  their  love  to  him.     Many  of  the    uncon- 
verted young  men,  who  assisted  in  cutting  the  ice,  and 
preparing  the  place  for  the    baptism  of  others,   were 
thereby  so  powerfully  wrought  upon,  that  they   never 
rested,  until  they    believed   and    were  baptized  them- 
selves. 

The  whole  number  that  I  baptized  from  Feb.  181 1, 
to  Feb.  1812,  was  thret  hundred;  and  the  most  of 
them  were  young  people.  The  whole  number  that  I 
baptized  in  Montville,  in  two  months,  was  eighty- 
eighty  who  were  baptized  at  the  following  times,  vrz. 
Dec.  26,  1811,1  baptized  eight  \  Jan.  2d,  1812,  ten", 
Jan.  8th,  ten  ;  Jan.  14th,  nine  ;  on  the  15th,  ten  ;  on 
the  28th,  sixteen  ;  Feb.  5th,  Jive  ;  Feb.  7th,  seven ; 
Feb.  12th, /our;  Feb.  1 5ih^  eight.  The  above  num- 
11* 


126  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

bers,  together  with  some  others,  who  had  been  pre* 
viously  baptized  by  other  Elders,  and  \\\\uz  in  the 
place  were  embodied  into  a  church  of  Christ,*  on 
Feb.  13,  1812.  I  also  baptized  six,  in  the  town  of 
Palermo.  I  preached  several  times,  in  the  course  of 
the  winter,  at  Belfast,  with  very  little  apparent  success. 
I  also  preached  several  times  in  Palermo,  to  some  good 
degree  of  satisfaction.  A  number  were  hopefully  con- 
yerted  in  that  town  ;  in  which  was  also  a  church  em- 
bodied, consisting  of  sixteen  members,  who  appeared 
to  be  well  engaged  in  the  cause  of  religion.  '1  he  last 
time  I  preached  in  the  town,  the  prospect  of  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  was  very  great. 

Feb.  16th,  I  preached  my  farewell  sermon  to  the 
people  of  Montville  ;  and  took  my  leave  of  a  large 
company  of  loving  brethren,  after  having  administered 
to  them  the  Lord's  Supper.  Our  hearts  were  filled 
with  deep  sorrow  and  joy,  comfort  and  mourning  ; 
that  is,  sorrow,  for  sin,  which  caused  the  death  of 
Christ ;  joy,  in  his  victory  over  death  and  the  grave, 
by  his  resurrection  and  ascension,  his  intercession 
with  his  Father,  and  the  descent  of  his  Holy  Spirit 
upon  all  his  humble  followers ;  comfort,  in  being 
raised  up  to  sit  together  in  heavenly  places  in  him  ; 
but,  mourning,  to  think  that  we  had  got  so  soon  to 
part.  However,  the  hope  of  soon  meeting  again,  to 
part  no  more,  strengthened  us  to  give  each  oilier  the 
parting  hand  for  thai  time,  but  not  without  the  shed- 
ding of  many  tears. 

Feb.  18th,  I  left  Montville,  and  sat  off  for  Ver- 
mont. I  travelled  that  day  as  far  as  Vassalborough, 
where  I  attended  a  meeting  the  same  evening. 

Feb.  19th  I  arrived  at  Mountvernon,  preached  in 
the  evening,  and  had  a  solemn  season.  JVext  mor- 
ning, Feb.  20th,  I  left  the  place,  and  proceeded  tow- 
ards New  Gloucester.  I  preached  that  evening  in 
the  edge  of  Gray,  and  had  a  solemn  time. 

♦Two  Deacons,  and  a  Clerk  were  appointed. 


LITE  OF  JOHN  COLBT.  127 

Feb.  21st  leaving  Gray,  I  went  through  Standish, 
Limington  and  Limeric,  and  from  thence  to  Parsons- 
field. 

Feb.  23d,  preached  in  that  town,  both  in  the  day 
and  evening,  and  had  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord. 

February  25th,  I  left  Parsonsfield,  and  went  to  Sand- 
wich- 
February  28th,  1  preached  in  the  evening  at  broth- 
er Richardson's,  in  which  meeting,  one  youth  was 
Jiopefully  converted. 
-^  March  4th,  I  went  to  Eaton,  and  preached  that  eve- 
T)ing,  and  also  the  next  day  and  evening. 

March  7th,  I  returned  to  Sandwich,  and  tarried 
there  over  the  Sabbath.  Sabbath  day  evening,  I  left 
Sandwich,  and  went  as  far  as  Center  Harbor.  Mon- 
day, I  went  to  Meredith,  where  I  spent  that  day  and 
the  next,  in  preaching  and  visiting  the  brethren  in  that 
Church. 

March  11th,  I  left  Center  Harbor,  and  went  as  far 
as  Haverhill,  N.  H.;  and  on  the  12th  of  March,  I  ar- 
rived at  home;  and  felt  joyful  at  meeting  my  friends 
once  more,  on  the  stage  of  time. 

March  i5th,  being  Sabbath,  I  preached  in  Billy- 
mead;  and  in  the  evening  I  attended  meeting  at  broth- 
er Blake's,  who  married  my  third  sister.  In  the  same 
meeting,  David  Colby,  my  natural  brother,  being  the 
fourth  son  of  my  parents,  and  younger  than  myself, 
found  rest  to  his  soul,  which  added  much  to  my  joy, 
and  the  joy  of  my  friends,  as  well  as  to  that  of  the 
saints  in  general.  On  Wednesday  evening  following, 
sister  Rebecca  Newall,  wife  of  Rufus  INewall,  and 
daughter  of  Elder  Amos  Beckworth,  of  the  same  town, 
departed  this  'ife  in  an  ecstacy  of  heavenly  joy.  Af- 
ter bidding  the  world  a  long  and  peaceful  farewell, she 
calmly  took  her  leave  of  her  husband  and  little  son. 
Folding  her  arms,  like  one  lying  down  to  take  a  sweet 


128  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

repose,  she  said,  "  Mr  work  is  doi^e,"  and  closed 
her  eyes  in  death.  The  next  day,  as  my  brother 
Daniel  and  I  were  preparing  her  coffin,  a  cousin  of 
mine,  a  young  woman,  came  in  where  we  were  at 
work.  Looking  upon  her,  I  called  her  by  name  and 
said,  "  God  only  knows  how  soon  a  house  like  this, 
may  be  prepared  for  you."  She  was  immediately 
struck  with  a  sense  of  her  situation;  and  on  the  eve- 
ning of  the  20th  of  March,  which  was  the  day  fol« 
lowing,  she  professed  to  have  experienced  religion. — 
The  funeral  of  sister  Newall,  was  attended  the  same 
day.  I  preached  a  sermon;  a  crowded  and  attentive 
assembly  attended  the  solemnity,  and  paid  their  last 
respects  to  a  dutiful  daughter,  a  virtuous  wife,  a  loving 
sister,  a  pious  neighbor,  and  a  child  of  God. 

I  continued  preaching  in  Billymead,  and  the  towns 
adjoining,  till  May  11th;  during  which  period  I  saw 
several  converted;  baptized  ten;  and  attended  two  or 
more  funerals;  one  of  which,  was  that  of  a  member 
of  the  Church,  young  woman,  a  godly  sister,  who 
died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith. 

At  this  time,  there  was  no  proper  meeting  house  in 
Billymead;  but  the  people  had  generally  met,  for  pub- 
lic worship,  in  a  school  house,*  which  was  by  no 
means  large  enough  to  contain  the  people;  on  which 
account,  we  had  frequently  been  obliged  to  leave  it, 
and  go  into  fields,  groves,  barns,  &,c.  I  had  there- 
fore, previous  to  tliis  visit,  obtained  a  plan  of  a  house, 
which  I  thought  would  be  convenient  for  that  purpose; 
and  had  resolved  to  lay  the  plan  before  the  people  of 
the  town,  and  encourage  them  to  build  it.  This,  I 
accordingly  did.  And  when  the  town  met,  and  had 
seen  my  plan,  and  canvassed  the  subject;  1  found 
some  zealous  for  the  house;  others  felt  themselves  too 
poor^  some  had  their  land  to  pay  for;  some  complain- 

*Called  by  Elder  John  Buzzel  in  his  "  History  of  the  Church 
of  Christ"  p.  93.  a  meeting  house;  probably  from  the  circum- 
stance of  its  being  the  usual  place  of  public  worship. 


LIFE  OF    JOHN   COLBY.  129 

ed  of  hard  times — the  government  had  laid  an  embar- 
go; they  expected  there  would  be  a  war,  and  were 
afraid  that  they  should  not  be  able  to  finish  such  a 
house,  &c.  On  the  whole,  I  was  disappointed  in  my 
expectation,  and  found,  that  by  the  slackness  of  the 
hands  the  budding  was  like  to  fail  through.  This  gave 
me  at  first,  a  disagreeable  feeling,  while  I  considered 
how  much  we  needed  a  meeting  house  in  the  place. 
While  mourning  about  it,  and  pondering  the  subject, 
it  came  suddenly  into  my  mind,  that  I  must  go  and 
build  it  myself  and  dedicate  it  to  the  Lord  and  his 
people.  At  first  1  shrunk  at  the  idea;  and  although  [ 
had  something  of  property  on  hand,  I  feared  I  had  not 
enough  to  finish  the  house.  It  was,  however,so  strong- 
ly impressed  on  my  mind,  that  the  Lord  would  assist 
me  in  the  work,  and  clear  the  way  before  me,  that  I 
concluded  to  make  the  experiment,  and  leave  it  with 
him  to  decide  the  issue.  1  thought  if  it  was  the  Lord, 
he  would  certainly  open  his  beneficent  hand  to  me, 
and  help  me  in  the  work;  if  not,  all  my  attempts 
would  be  fruitless.  Having  only  the  short  time  of  a- 
bout  one  week  to  tarry  in  town,  for  that  time,  I  found 
it  would  not  do  to  delay.  And  having  pitched  on  a 
spot  of  land,  which  I  thought  would  be  the  most  suit- 
able to  set  the  house  upon,  (which  was  near  the  cen- 
tre of  the  town,  adjoining  a  grave  yard,  and,  to  rae, 
the  most  pleasant  and  delightsome  spot  in  town,)  I 
concluded  il  I  could  purchase  that,  I  should  take  it 
for  granted,  that  it  would  be  right  to  prosecute  the 
business.  I  therefore  made  application  to  the  owner, 
and  without  any  difficulty  purchased  the  land  and  took 
a  deed  of  it.  Being  now  strengthened  in  my  faith;  I 
immediately  contracted  for  the  frame,  boards,  shingles, 
nails,  &c.;  also  with  a  workman,  to  finish  the  outside 
of  the  house,  by  the  20th  of  June  following.  I  then 
gave  out  an  appointment  to  preach  in  the  new  meeting 
house,  on  the  last  .Sabbath  in  the  same  June;  while  as 
yet,  I  suppose,  every  stick  of  the  frame  was  growing 


13q  life  of  John  colet. 

in  the  forest.  Having  thus  far  prosecuted  nny  design, 
and  the  day  having  come  k>r  me  to  leave  the  town; 
May  llih,  1  SI  2,1  sat  oft' for  Boston,  Mass.  and  Prov- 
idence, R.  1.  I  went  that  day  as  far  as  St.  Johnsbury. 
The  next  day  1  crossed  Connecticut  River,  and  pro- 
ceeded as  fiir  as  Warren,  N.  II.  I  put  up  that  night 
at  Mr  Richardson's. 

May  13th,  I  went  to  Ilolderness;  the  next  day  to 
Sandwich,  and  attended  a  meeting. 

May  15;h,  I  went  to  Middleton,  N.  H.  The  day 
following,  I  went  as  far  as  Rochester. 

May  17ih,  being  Sabbath,  I  sat  off'early  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  went  on  to  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  Being  a  stran- 
ger in  the  town,  I  knew  not  where,  nor  on  whom  to 
call.  But  it  so  happened  tliat  I  was  introduced  to  Dr 
Jones.  He  invited  me  to  preacli;  but  being  much  fa- 
tigued, I  felt  unable  to  speak  in  the  forenoon,  and 
therefore  had  the  privilege  of  hearing  him  for  the  first 
time. 

In  the  afternoon,  I  tried  to  preach,  but  had  but  lit- 
tle liberty.  It  was  like  rowing  against  wind  and  tide. 
I  went  from  thence  to  Salisbury,  and  attended  a  meet- 
ing at  Webster's  Point,  in  company  with  elder  Jones, 
on  Tuesday  evening.  This  was  a  solemn  season. — 
The  next  morning,  1  took  a  walk  over  into  Amesbury, 
the  place  of  my  father's  nativity;  and  after  my  return 
I  went  to  Xewburyport.  I  called  at  several  places; 
went  to  see  the  meeting  house,  and  went  up  into  the 
pulpit,  under  which  George  Whitfield  was  entombed. 
After  earnestly  praying  to  the  Lord,  to  make  the  min- 
isters of  the  gospel  more  like  Whitfield,  in  being  wil- 
ling to  spend  their  lives  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  and 
the  salvation  of  souls,  I  left  the  place,  in  company 
with  Elder  Jones,  and  went  to  Bradford,  where  we  at- 
tended a  meeting  in  the  evenintr.  The  next  day  we 
went  to  Salem;  and  after  attending  one  meeting  there, 
I  left  brother  Jones,  May  22d,  and  went  to  Boston. 
As  I  passed  through  Charlestovvn,  I  overtook  a  fune- 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  131 

ral  procession,  solemnly  moving  on  to  the  house  ap- 
pointed for  all  the  living.  I  followed  the  corpse  to 
the  tomb.  I  then  crossed  Charlestovvn  bridge;  and 
when  I  entered  Boston,  my  ears  were  saluted  with  the 
tolling  of  bells,  five  funeral  processions  were  moving 
on  to  the  house  of  silence  from  different  parts  of  the 
town. 

Saturday  night,  I  attended  meeting  with  the  Metho- 
dists. 

Sabbath  day,  May  24th,  1  preached  two  sermons  in 
the  town,  at  a  large  hall.  In  the  forenoon  I  spake 
from  Songs  ii.  14:  "O  my  dove,  that  art  in  the  clefts 
of  the  rock,"  &c.  it  having  been  given  me  in  a  dream 
the  night  before.  In  which  dream  I  fancied  myself 
standing  in  a  field,  and  saw  the  people  coming  in  ev- 
er}' direction  to  hear  me  preach.  I  thought  I  ascend- 
ed a  large  rock;  and  a  dove  descended  from  above 
and  lighted  upon  my  head.  Immediately  those  words 
occuired  to  my  recollection;  and  as  I  began  to  preach 
I  awoke,  and  behold  it  was  a  dream.  But  after  awa- 
king, they  bore  with  such  weight  on  my  mind,  that  I 
took  it  for  granted,  that  it  was  my  Master's  will,  that 
1  should  speak  from  the  words  that  dpy.  And  I  can 
say,  to  his  praise,  he  assisted  me;  and  I  felt  much 
freedotn  in  discoursing  on  the  subject.  I  also  preach- 
ed in  the  town,  t+ie  same  evening. 

On  Monday  evening,  I  preacJjed  at  Charlestown. — 
Tuesday,  I  rode  to  Providence,  R.  I.  where  I  attend- 
ed a  meeting  m  the  evening. 

Wednesday,  May  27th,  I  preached  in  the  town- 
house  both  in  the  day  and  evening.  Elder  Farnum  at- 
tended those  meetings  with  me.  He  had  been  preach- 
ing in  the  town  for  several  months  with  great  apparent 
success.  The  power  of  the  Lord  was  manifested  in 
our  meelin<^.  Several  poor  sinners  left  their  pews, 
came  into  the  broad  aisle,  and  desired  to  be  prayed 
for.  Ona  young  woman,  who  came  forward,  soooaf 
ter  professed  to  find  peace  to  her  soul. 


132  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

Thursday,  I  went  back  to  Boston,  and  attended  a 
meeting  in  the  evening 

Friday,  I  went  on  as  far  as  Haverhill  Massachusetts, 
and  attended  a  meeting;  that  evening.  Saturday  morn- 
ing I  set  out  for  Tittsfield,  N.  H.;  and  at  niglit.  got 
within  a  few  miles  of  tiie  meeting  house,  wliere  I  had 
an  appointment  with  elder  Ebenezer  Knowlion. 

Sabbath  day,  May  31st,  1  went  on  to  the  meeting, 
and  arrived  a  few  minutes  after  the  time  appointed. — 
I  found  the  house  crowded  with  people,  and  many 
more  gathered  around  it.  I  attempted  to  speak,  but 
was  remarkably  pressed  and  shut  up,  on  account  of 
the  people  leaning  on  me,  (as  I  thought,)  instead  of 
Christ,  but  1  believe  they  were  soon  convinced  of  the 
necessity  of  looking  beyond  the  watchman;  for  they 
began  to  look  to  God  for  help,  and  we  had  a  precious 
season.  The  power  of  God  was  wonderfully  mani- 
fested among  us;  especially  in  the  evening,  at  Elder 
Knowlton's.  Sinners  trembled,  backsliders  returned 
to  their  father's  house,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
seemed  to  be  really  risen  upon  his  people.  I  contin- 
ued till  the  next  Friday,  and  attended  ten  public  meet- 
ings. It  was  thought  that  some  vi^ere  convicted,  or 
converted,  or  reclaimed,  in  every  meeting.  Elder 
Knowhon  attended  those  meetings  with  me,  and  ap- 
peared to  be  well  engaged  in   the  work  of  the   Lord. 

June  5th,  I  left  Pittsfield,  and  went  to  Aottingham, 
in  company  with  Elder  Knowlton;  and  we  had  a  very 
solemn  meetmg  at  Elder  Dyer's.  The  next  day  1 
went  to  Portsmouth,  and  attended  a  meeting  in  the 
evening 

June  7th,  Sabbath  day,  I  preached  in  Eider  Jones' 
meeting  house,  forenoon,  afternoon,  and  evening;  had 
a  very  solemn  season. 

Monday  morning,  T  left  Portsmouth,  went  on  as  far 
as  Rochester,  and  preached  in  that  town  in  the  after- 
noon. Having  been  out  the  most  oil  the  day,  in  a 
dreadful  storm  of  wind  and  rain,  and  coming  in  under 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  13^ 

a  comfortable  roof,  and  meeting  with  friendly  people 
and  kind  treatment,  it  brought  to  my  mind  the  words 
of  the  pro()het,  Isaiah  xxxii.  2:  "  and  a  man  shall  be 
as  an  hiding  place  from  the  wind,  and  a  covert  from 
the  tempest;  as  rivers  of  water  in  a  dry  place;  as  the 
shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land."  I  had  a 
good  time  in  speaking  from  the  words,  especially  whde 
addressing  the  friendly  family  who  had  so  kindly  ta- 
ken me  in.  May  the  Lord  reward  them  for  their  kind- 
ness, at  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 

June  9th.  I  preached  in  the  court-house,  in  the  same 
town.  From  ihence  I  went  to  Middleton,  where  I 
preached  in  the  afternoon.  The  next  day  I  went  to 
Sandwich,  and  attended  our  yearly  meeting,  which 
continued  three  days;  namely,  13th,  14th,  and  15th 
of  June.  This  was  a  solemn  and  refreshing  season, 
and  the  best  of  the  wine  was  kept  ti'l  the  last. 

I  continued  preaching  in  the  town  of  Sandwich,  till 
the  next  Thursday.     1  then  left  the  place,  and   went 
to  Moukonborough,  and  preached  in  the  afternoon. 
Friday,  I  preached  at  Center  Harbor. 
Saturday,  I  went  to  Sandbornton. 
Sabbath  day,  June  21st,   I   preached  in  that  town. 
This  was  a  solemn  meeting,  especially  in  the  evenmg. 
In  this  visit,  I  formed  a  more  extensive  acquaintance 
with  Elder  Cheney,  of  that  town;  I  found  him  to   be 
a  man  called  of  God,   to  preach  the    everlasting   gos- 
pel, and  owned  in  the   work.     I  hope  the  Lord   will 
give  him  hundreds  and  thousands  of  souls   as  seals  of 
his  ministry. 

Monday,  I  preached  at  Meredith  meeting-house. — 
Towards  the  close  of  the  meeting,  one  soul  was  hope- 
fully converted,  and  publicly  praised  God  for  the  great 
salvation. 

Tuesday  forenoon,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  Moul- 
tonborough  Falls:  and  at  the  close  of  worship,  bap- 
tized a  young  man.  In  the  afternoon,  1  went  to  Plym- 
outh. 

12 


134  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT. 

Wednesday,  I  sat  off  for  home. 

Thursday  night,  I  arrived  at  my  father's.  And  to 
ray  unspeakable  joy  found  my  friends  ahve  and  well. 

Sabbath  day,  June  28th,  I  fulfilled  my  appointment 
and  preached  in  the  new  meeting-house,  in  Billymead, 
to  a  very  large  concourse  of  people.  I  stayed  in  the 
place,  at  that  time,  only  five  days  Had  I  time,  and 
had  my  readers  patience,  1  would  here  give  them  a 
particular  account  of  the  finishing  of  the  meeting- 
house,* but  it  must  suffice  just  to  say,  to  the  praise  of 
God,  I  have  been  enabled  to  finish  it  off,  inside  and 
out,  to  the  turn  of  the  key.  And  have  taken  more 
satisfaction,  in  seeing  my  property  laid  out  in  building 
a  house  to  worship  (Jod  in,  than  ever  any  old  miser 
did,  in  filling  up  bags  with  silver  and  gold.  I  have 
nearly  an  hundred  and  fifty  brethren  and  sisters  belong- 
ing to  the  church  of  Christ  in  that  town;  and  they 
have  now  a  comfortable  house  to  meet  in,  where  they 
sit  together,  preach  to^^ether,  sing  together,  pray  to- 
gether, and  speak  and  hear  God's  word. 

Farewell  my  earthly  friends  below, 
Tho'  all  so  kind  and  dear  to  me; 

My  Jesus  calls  and  I  must  go 
To  sound  the  gospel  jubilee. 

July  1st,  I  sat  off  for  Meredith,  N.  H.;  and  on  July 
Sd;  arrived  at  the  place  of  my  appointment.  I  had  a 
solemn  interview;  after  which  I  went  to  the  water, and 
baptized  five  persons. 

'i  he  next  day,  1  went  to  Pittsfield. 

July  5th,  being  the  Sabbath,  I  preached  in  that 
town,  and  it  was  a  remarkably  solemn  time.  Sever- 
al were  powerfully  convicted,  and  one  or  two  profess- 
ed to  find  peace. 

Monday,  July  6th,  I  preached  in  the  upper  meeting 

*It  will  be  understood,  that  it  was  about  two  years,  from 
the  lime  I  began  the  house,  to  the  time  it  was  finished. 


LirE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  135 

house,  commonly  occupied  by  the  Calvinistic  Baptists 
and  Congregationalism. 

Tuesday  and  Tuesday  evening,  I  preached  at  a  large 
dwelling  house,  in  another  part  of  the  town,  to  a  crow- 
ded assembly.  My  visit  was  short;  but  I  took  much 
satisfaction  in  seeing  sinners  convicted  and  converted; 
backsliders  reclaimed,  and  saints  comforted. 

Wednesday,  July  8th,  1  left  Pittsfield,  and  shaped 
my  course  for  Montville,  Me.  I  had  to  ride  the  prin- 
cipal part  of  the  way  through  the  storm;  but  through 
the  mercy  of  God,  I  arrived  at  the  place,  Sabbath  day 
morning,  about  the  time  the  people  were  gathering  to 
meeting.  1  preached  but  once,  on  the  road  from  Pitts- 
field  to  Montville,  and  that  was  in  Litchfield,  Me. — 
The  people  in  Montville  had  about  given  me  up,  as  I 
did  not  get  into  town  on  Saturday  night,  and  conclu- 
ded I  should  disappoint  them.  But  all  (heir  doubts 
were  dissolved,  when  they  saw  me  approaching  the 
large  barn,  where  they  were  assembled.  As  I.  enter- 
ed the  assembly,  I  sang  the  following  hymn: 

Brethren  we  have  met  again; 
Let  us  join  to  pray  and  sing; 
"We're  alive,  and  Jesus  reigns, 
Praise  him,  in  the  higjiest  strains. 

The  glory  of  God  rested  on  the  people,  and  it  was  a 
solemn  weeping,  and  rejoicing  time  with  us  all.  The 
ministers  of  Christ,  who  feel  his  love  constraining 
them  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  delight  to  see  their 
brethren  engaged  in  religion,  can  tell  how  I  felt,  whea 
1  got  to  Montville,  and  found  about  an  hundred  breth- 
ren and  sisters  present,  whom  1  had  baptized  in  the 
course  of  the  last  winter,  all  united  in  love.  And  I 
rejoice  to  say,  that  I  found  them  generally  more  en- 
gaged than  they  were  when  I  left  them.  And  to  my 
unspeakable  consolation,  I  found  the  reformation  stiil 
going  on  and  spreading,  not  only  in  Montville,  but  al- 
so in  other  places.     1  stayed  in  that  region,  till  the 


J3C  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

3d  of  August;  preached  in  almost  every  part  of  Mont- 
ville;  saw  a  number  converted;  and  baptized  ten.  I 
also  preached  several  times  in  l^alermo,  saw  a  few 
more  converted  and  baptized  three. 

Augnst  3d,  as  1  was  about  to  slart  for  Boston,  news 
came  that  a  sister  Knowhon  was  dead;  and  I  was  re- 
quested 10  attend  her  funeral.  But,  as  the  vessel  I 
was  to  go  in  was  about  to  sail,  I  could  not  comply 
with  iheir  request,  but  bid  them  farewell,  and  wert  on 
to  Belfast.  'J  he  next  day,  I  was  taken  quite  unwell, 
had  a  very  sick  day  and  continued  unwell  through  the 
night;  I  seemed  to  be  threatened  with  a  fever. 

Wednesday  morning,  feeling  a  little  better,  I  con- 
cluded to  go  on  board,  and  we  made  sail  for  Boston. 
We  were  about  a  week  on  ihe  voyage  ;  sometimes 
beating  against  wind  and  tide,  sometimes  becalmed, 
and  sometimes  in  a  storm,  which  was  pretty  severe. 
When  we  came  in  sight  of  Boston,  having  been  sick 
all  the  way,  I  was  not  a  little  rejoiced  to  see  the  port. 
O,  thought  I,  how  all  the  saints,  who  sail  over  the 
boisterous  sea  of  life,  rejoice  when  the  port  of  heaven 
heaves  in  view' 

When  we  shall  land,  on  that  bless'd  shore, 
We  shall  be  safe  for  ever  more. 

Tuesday,  August  11,  I  arrived  at  Boston,  in  much 
better  health,  than  I  expected  when  I  left  Belfast. — 
When  I  entered  the  town,  my  ears  were  again  saluted 
with  the  funeral  knell.  On  enquiring,  1  found  that 
two  men  had  lost  their  lives  the  night  before,  by  at- 
tempting to  descend  into  a  vault,  after  a  lost  watch  — 
That  evening,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  brother  Binny's; 
and  out  of  the  great  multitude,  there  were  but  about 
a  dozen  persons,  who  attended  the  meeting.  How- 
ever, we  enjoyed  divine  consolation,  for  we  found  Je- 
sus in  our  midst. 

Thursday  evening,  I  preached  again  in  the  same 
place. 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBF.  137 

Friday  and  Saturday  evenings,  I  met  with  the  Meth- 
odists. 

Sabbath  day,  August  \6.,  I  attended  three  meetings 
in  Boston,  and  one  in  Charlestown;  and  ahhough  it 
was  something  of  a  trying  time,  yet  I  found  the  Lord 
to  be  a  very  present  help. 

Tuesday  evening  I  met  with  the  brethren  in  Boston; 
and  on  Wednesday  evening,  I  attended  a  meeting  ia 
Charlestown. 

Thursday,  Aug.  20,  was  the  national  fast.  This 
was  a  solemn  day  to  me.  fn  the  forenoon,  I  attend- 
ed meeting  in  Boston;  and  in  the  afternoon  and  eve- 
ning, at  Charlestown.  As  I  was  passing  from  Boston 
to  Charlestown,  I  met  a  body  of  troops,  marching  for 
Albany,  in  order  to  go  on  to  the  line,  to  meet  the 
British  forces  on  our  western  frontier.  This  bemg 
unexpected  by  me',  I  was  very  much  struck  by  the 
spectacle.  Having  just  left  the  house  of  pra)er,  and 
now  repairing  to  another  house  for  the  same  purpose; 
and  between  the  two  houses,  meeting  this  body  of 
troops,  marching  to  the  field  of  battle,  equipped  witls 
the  instruments  of  death  and  prepared  for  slaugh- 
ter: I  can  truly  say  I  felt  my  heart  lifted  up  to  God 
in  prayer,  that  if  possible,  he  would  hasten  the  time, 
when  swords  should  be  beaten  into  ploughshares,  and 
spears  into  pruning  hooks,  and  the  nations  learn  war 
no  more.  When  I  got  to  the  house  of  worship,  feel- 
ing a  solemn  sense  of  what  I  had  seen,  the  words  of 
Daniel  the  Prophet,  occurred  to  my  recollection,  chap. 
2  ver.  44:  "and  in  the  days  of  these  kings  shall  the 
God  of  heaven  set  up  a  Kingdom,  which  shall  never 
be  destroyed;  and  the  kingdom  shall  not  be  left  to  oth- 
er people,  but  it  shall  break  in  pieces  and  consume 
all  these  kingdoms,  and  it  shall  stand  forever."  I  was 
led  to  describe,  1.  The  King.  2.  The  subjects. — 
3.  The  laws.  4.  The  regulations  and  manners.  5. 
The  soldiers.  6.  Their  bounty,  wages,  provisions, 
dress,  the  weapons  of  their  warfare,  their  music,  their 
12* 


138  LIFE  OF  John  coLBT, 

strong  bold,  the  field  of  battle.  A7.  Their  certainty  of 
victory,  and  final  conquest  over   all  their  enemies.     I 
then  drew  the  line  of  dillerence  between  this  kingdom 
and  the   kingdoms  of  this    world.     After  meeting,    I 
was  invited  to  take  tea,    with  a  brother    who  was    by 
trade  a  joiner,  or   cabinet  maker.     When  we  got  to 
the  house,  there  was  a  iTian  waiting  to  purchase  a  cof- 
fin.    The  brother  invited  me  to  walk  with  him  to   iiis 
shop,  which  I  did.      We  ascended  the   second  story, 
where  1  beheld  a  number  of  new  inventions  and  curi- 
osities; and  was  somewhat  amused   with  a  swing  cra- 
dle, which  was  very  conveniently   contrived,  and  for 
which  he  had  a  patent.     After  viewing  these  things, 
we  descended  into  the  lower  story.     1  looked  around, 
and  at  one  view,   beheld  about  an   hundred  coffins   of 
difterent  dimensions,  em[)ty,    and  waiting  to   enclose 
the  remains  of  mr  fellow  mortals,  whenever  voracious 
death  should  lay  his  cold  hands  upon  them.    Remem- 
bering the  cradle  above,  and  seeing  the  coffins  below> 
I  cried  out  in  the  language  of  the  poet,  and  said, 

"  The  grave  is  near  the  cradle  seen, 
How  swift  the  moments  pass  between ! 
And  whisper  as  they  fly — 
Unthinking  man,  remember  this, 
Though  'midst  thy  sublunary  bliss, 
Must  groan,  and  gasp,  and  die." 

My  heart  was  deeply  affected,  while  I  saw  the  gay 
and  thoughtless  youth,  sporting  through  the  streets, 
as  though  a  thought  of  death  had  never  reached  their 
hearts.  Little  did  they  think,  while  passing  by  the 
shop  in  their  silks,  ruffles,  and  other  superfluous  or- 
naments, to  their  parties  and  ball-rooms,  that  their 
coffins  might  already  be  prepared,  and  standing  so 
nigh  them  ;  or  how  soon  the  tolling  bell  would  call 
their  mates  to  attend  their  funerals.  After  taking  tea, 
I  returned  to  Boston  ;  and  to  conclude  the  solemnity 
of  the  day,  attended  the  funeral  of  a  young  gentleman, 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBT.  139 

a  military  officer,  who  had  but  a  few  days  before,  laid 
out  about  four  hundred  dollars  to  equip  himself  for  the 
service.  A  great  parade  was  now  made.  His  friends, 
all  dressed  in-  deep  mournir)g,  were  followed  by  a  long 
procession  under  arms,  to  the  grave,  preceded  by  the 
jarring  beat  of  a  muffled  drum.  When  they  came  to 
the  house  appointed  lor  all  the  living,  and  had  let  down 
the  corpse  they  fired  a  few  guns  over  the  coffin,  in- 
terred him  in  the  silent  tomb,  and  the  mourners  went 
about  the  streets.  Here  I  saw  the  end  of  all  earthly 
honours.  Oh!  Let  me  have  the  honour  that  comes 
from  God  only. 

In  the  evening,  I  preached  again  at  brother  Binny's, 
and  the  Lord  was  in  our  midst.  I  spent  the  rest  of 
the  week  in  visiting  and  prayer  meetings. 

Sabbath  day,  August  29th,  I  preached  at  Charles- 
town,  in  a  great  baptist  meeting-house,  and  but  a  few 
people  in  it.  This  was  a  trying  day  to  my  soul  ;  for 
the  people  appeared  to  be  perfectly  shielded  against 
the  gospel  ;  and  I  saw  no  prospect  of  any  good  being 
done.  However,  I  strove  to  cast  my  bread  on  the 
waters,  in  hope  that  I  might  gather  it  again  after  many 
days.  I  attended  meetings  in  the  evenings  in  }3oston, 
and  spent  my  lime  in  visiting  and  preaching  in  the 
day  time.     Thus  I  spent  that  week. 

Sabbath  day,  August  30th,  I  preached  again  in 
Charlestown  ;  and  at  the  close  of  the  forenoon  service, 
I  gave  out  word,  that  I  should  preach  to  the  youth  in 
the  afternoon.  Upon  hearing  this,  the  young  people 
flocke  1  out  to  see  what  new  thing  was  about  to  take 
place  in  Charlestown.  The  spirit  of  the  Lord  God 
was  upon  me;  I  felt  his  word  shut  up  within  me  ; 
and  the  cause  of  Christ  never  laid  nearer  to  my  heart 
than  it  did  that  day.  1  he  people  paid  very  good 
attention,  and  appeared  to  have  some  sense  ol  eternal 
things.  A  general  solemnity  rested  on  the  congrega- 
tion, and  I  trust  that  day  will  not  be  soon  forgotten. 

Monday,  Aug.    31st,   and   Tuesday,    Sept.  1st,  1 


140  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

visited  several  families,  and  attended  one  meeting. — 
Having  spent  about  three  weeks  in  these  places,  in 
public  preaching  of  God's  word,  and  exhorting  and 
praying  from  lif)use  to  house  ;  having  aliO  written 
about  a  dozen  letters,  and  sent  them  to  the  different 
parts  where  I  had  travelled  ;  1  took  my  leave  of  Bos- 
ton and  Charlestown,  and  went  on  to  Providence, 
R.  I. 

Sept.  2d,  at  evening,  I  preached  in  that  town  and 
had  a  good  time.  I  found  the  reformation  still  going 
on.  1  preached  every  day  and  evening  through  the 
week  ;  and  the  work  of  the  Lord  still  spread,  and 
revived  among  the  old  professors. 

Sabbatli  dny,  Se|)t.  Gth,  I  preached  in  Providence; 
but  nothing  special  took  pJTice.  1  continued  evening 
meetings,  till  Wednesday. 

Thiirsday,  Sept  lOtn,  I  went  to  Burrilville,  which 
is  about  eighteen  miles  from  Providence.  I  preaclied 
in  the  evening  at  Captain  VVilliain  Khode's.  This  was 
the  first  time  i  had  preached  in  that  place.  It  was  a 
solemn  meeting,  and  a  number  were  convinced  of 
their  need  of  a  Saviour.  The  next  morning,  1  visited 
two  or  three  families  ;  then  returned  to  Providence, 
and  attended  a  meeting  in  the  evening. 

Sabbath,  Sept.  13ih,  1  preached  in  the  town-house; 
and  broke  bread  to  a  goodly  number  of  brethren  and 
had  a  happpy  time  In  the  evening,  I  preached  to  a 
crowded  assembly  in  a  private  house  ;  1  trust  lo  some 
good  effect. 

Monday,  Sept.  I4th,  I  made  a  second  visit  to  Bur- 
rilville, and  preached  at  2  o'clock,  P.  M.  at  the  meet- 
ing-house. 1  directed  my  discourse  to  the  youth  ; 
and  the  word  took  a  solemn,  and  1  trust  a  lasiing  ef- 
fect on  their  young  and  lender  minds.  I  think  the 
truth  exhibited  that  day,  will  never  be  forgotten  by 
the  youtli  in  Burrilville.  In  this  meeting,  1  thought 
I  saw  a  cloud  like  a  man's  hand,  and  heard  a  sound  of 
abundance  of  rain.      While  1  was  speaking,  my  mind 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  141 

was  particularly  led  to  speak  against  the  practice  of 
card  playing.  I  was  afterwards  informed,  that  there 
was  one  young  man  in  the  assembly,  who  had  a  pack 
of  cards  in  his  pocket ;  and  concluding  that  the  whole 
discourse  was  levelled  at  him,  and  being  convinced  of 
the  iniquity  of  his  conduct,  made  a  solemn  promise, 
that  he  would  burn  them  the  first  fire  he  came  to. — 
After  meeting,  he  travelled  about  a  mile,  and  called 
at  a  house  where  one  of  his  card  playing  companions 
lived  ;  took  them  out  of  his  pocket,  and  committed 
them  to  the  flames  before  his  coinpanion's  eyes. 

In  the  evening,  I  preached  at  Mr  Barnes,'  to  a  very 
crowded  assembly,  1  spoke  from  Gen.  xxiv.  49  : 
"  and  now  if  you  will  deal  kindly  and  truly  with  my 
m  aster,  tell  me  ;  and  if  not,  tell  me,  that  1  may  turn 
to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left."  I  thought  by  the 
attention  and  tears  of  the  assembly,  that  a  number  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative.  Ilefl  another  appointment 
to  preach  to  them  again  the  next  Sabbath  ;  and  on 
Tuesday,  returned  again  to  Providence,  and  preached 
there  the  same  evening.  Toward  the  close  of  the 
exercise,  a  chimney  caught  fire  near  the  centre  of  the 
town,  and  near  one  of  the  banks,  which  much  alarmed 
the  people.  The  cry  of  fire  ^  and  the  ringing  of  the 
bellsy  soon  reached  the  meeting  ;  all  was  instantly  in 
confusion,  and  the  meeting  broke  up.  The  fire,  how- 
ever, was  soon  extinguished,  and  no  damage  done, 
excepting  what  was  done  in  the  meeting,  by  breaking 
of  it  up.  I  have  no  doubt,  but  the  devil  and  his  fol- 
lowers, were  very  glad  to  have  it  leave  off  in  this 
way  ;  lor  there  was  a  number  of  mourning  souls,  that 
I  expect  would  have  come  forward  in  the  meeting, 
and  owned  their  blessed  Saviour,  had  it  not  been  for 
that  confusion.  And  to  be  avenged  of  my  adversary, 
I  retired  to  the  house  of  one  of  the  brethren,  kneeled 
down  and  prayed  a  long  time  ;  while  those  present, 
who  believed,  rejoiced  ;  and  those  who  had  not  be- 
lieved, trembled. 


X 


143  LIFE  OF  JOHNCOLBT. 


T  spent  the  remaining  part  of  the  week,  till  Saturday, 
preaching,  visiting,  &c. 

Saturday,  I  went  again  to  visit  Burrilville,  and  on 
the  next  day,  being  the  20ih  of  Sept.,  I  |)reached  in 
the  meeting-house,  to  a  large  and  solemn  assembly. 
There  was  a  profound  silence,  a  general  attention, 
great  solemnity,  and  many  tears.  In  the  evening,  I 
preached  at  Esq.  Steer's,  and  found  the  Lord  to  be 
a  present  help.  A  number  entered  into  a  solemn 
covenant  before  the  Lord,  that,  through  the  grace  of 
God,  they  would  seek  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 

The  day  following,  I  preached  in  Gloucester  ;  like 
wise  in  the  evening,  in  the  same  township,  at  a  village 
called  Chepachet,  where  I   trust,  we  had  a  profitable 
meeting. 

Tuesday,  I  returned  to  Providence,  where  I  preach 
ed  in  the  evening,    and  also    the   two   following  eve- 
nings.    I  found  that  the  work  of  the  Lord  was  still 
going  on. 

Friday,  I  took  the  stage,  and  went  to  Boston. 

Sabbath,  Sept.  27th,  both  in  the  day  and  evening, 
I  preached  in  town.  I  found  it  a  dark  timem  Boston. 
I  found  also  several  letters  in  the  Post  Office  directed 
to  me,  which,  upon  opening,  proved  to  be  from  my 
friends,  containing  good  news,  particularly  from 
Montville,  M«.,  giving  an  account  of  the  spread  of  the 
reformation,  which  gave  me  a  little  comfort. 

Tuesday  evening,  I  took  my  leave  of  my  brethren 
in  Boston.  And  on  Wednesday,  I  took  the  stage 
again,  and  returned  to  Providence  ;  I  preached  there 
that  evening,  and  the  evening  following. 

Friday,  October  2nd,  I  went  to  Gloucester,  and 
spent  the  evening  in  exhortation  and  prayer. 

Saturday,  I  went  to  Burrilville, 

Sabbaih,  Oct.  4th,  I  repaired  to  a  school-house,  on 
the  west  part  of  the  town,  where  I  had  an  appoint- 
ment to  preach  that  forenoon.  But  when  1  came  to 
the  place,  I  found  there   was  not  a  soul  there  to  hear 


LIFE  OP    JOHN   COLBY.  143 

me,  and  the  house  all  in  a  clutter  !  I  found  a  broom, 
and  swept  the  house  ;  and  after  waiting  a  while,  1  be- 
gan my  exercise,  by  singing  and  prayer.  Before  1 
had  done  praying,  two  men  came  in  ;  and  a  little  be- 
fore I  had  done  speaking,  two  or  three  more  came  in. 
Just  as  I  was  closing  the  meeting,  a  number  more  en- 
tered. They  made  some  excuse  respecting  the  ap- 
pointment, which  they  said  did  not  get  on.  I  told 
them  I  had  an  appointment  at  Chepachet.in  Glouces- 
ter, and  left  them.  When  I  came  to  the  place  ap- 
pointed, I  found  a  goodly  number  met,  and  we  had  a 
solemn  time.  In  the  evening,  we  met  at  Capt. 
Rhode's,  in  a  spacious  hall.  This  was  a  melting  sea- 
son. A  large  number  were  present,  includnig  a  mul- 
titude of  youths,  who  had  spent  many  hours  in  the 
same  hall,  in  dancing  and  other  carnal  merriment.  I 
felt  remarkably  happy,  in  showing  to  them  the  way  of 
salvation.  I  rejoiced  that  the  Lord  had  counted  me 
worthy,  by  putting  me  into  such  a  glorious  ministry  ; 
and  my  joy  was  greatly  increased  alter  meeting,  when 
I  found  many  of  those  young  people  had  a  wounded 
spirit.  The  arrows  of  the  Almighty  sunk  deep  into 
their  hearts.  Their  cry  was,  *'  1  have  been  a  great 
sinner,  and  am  going  to  hell."  I  did  not  rejoice  that 
they  had  been  sinners  ;  neither  d!d  I  rejoice  in  their 
horror  and  distress  ;  but  I  rejoiced  that  the  Lord 
had  opened  the  eyes  of  their  ^understanding,  to  see 
their  sins,  to  seek  for  a  pardon,  and  flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come-  On  the  Monday  following,  I  preach- 
ed at  a  school  house,  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town; 
a  goodly  number  attended,  and  it  was  a  profitable 
time.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  in  the  same  neigh- 
borhood, at  a  private  house.  The  woman  of  the 
house  had  been  in  a  low  state  of  health,  for  a  year  or 
two  past,  and  was  supposed  to  be  in  a  decline.  I 
felt  an  impression,  that  her  sickness,  was  caused  by 
trouble  of  mind.  I  asked  her  if  that  was  not  the  case. 
She  frankly   owned   it   was  ;  but,   said   she,  1  never 


144  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

could  get  confidence  to  reveal  it  before.  From  this 
time,  she  ceased  to  take  temporal  means,  and  applied 
to  the  heavenly  I'liysician,  by  solemn  prayer,  and  she 
is  now  pretty  cotnlorlable,  soul  and  b(jdy.  All  glory 
to  God  ! 

Tuesday,  I  preached  at  the  meeting-house  in  Tjur- 
rilville.  k-'everal  more  were  siruck  under  conviction. 
After  meeting,  I  returned  to  Chepachet ;  and  it  ap- 
peared that  the  Lord  was  in  that  place.  A  general 
solemnity  rested  on  the  assembly,  and  1  believe  that 
the  good  seed  was  sown,  that  evening,  in  some  good 
and  Honest  hearts  ;  the  effects  of  which  1  trust  will  ap- 
pear in  another  world.  I  spake  from  Isaiah  xxxviii.  1 ; 
*'  Thus  saiih  tlie  Lord,  set  thine  house  in  order ;  for 
thou  shalt  die,  and  not  live."  I  felt  an  impression 
on  my  mind  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon,  and  accor- 
dingly I  did.  I  urged  the  necessity  o(  a  speedy  [)rep- 
aration  for  the  solenm  hour  of  death.  I  told  them 
that  some  one  in  that  assembly,  was  rapidly  approach- 
ing to  that  period,  and  would  never  hear  my  voice 
again.  Governor  Owen,  an  aged  man,  was  then  sit- 
ting close  by  me.  He  was  immediately  after  taken 
sick,  and  died  in  a  few  days.  It  was  remarkable, 
that  He,  who  knows  all  things,  should  put  it  into  my 
heart,  to  preach  his  funeral  sermon  in  his  own  hear- 
ing, and  in  the  hearing  of  his  hiends,  wDile  he  was  yet 
alive.  I  attended  his  funeral,  but  had  no  opportunity 
of  preaching  ;  he  being  buried  in  the  order  of  the  peo- 
ple called  Quakers. 

Wednesday  evening,  I  preached  in  Burrilville,  at 
the  house  of  a  young  married  cou[)le,  who  had  lately 
passed  the  ccriniony.  'J  hey  had  a  nice  house  ;  and 
the  young  people  of  their  vicinity  were  waiting  for  an 
opportunity  to  recreate  themselves  in  it,  by  dancing, 
card  playing,  &c.  practices  prevalent  in  that  region. — 
They  were  much  disappointed  and  astonished,  when 
they  came  to  the  meeting,  to  find  the  sprightly  couple 
in  a  flood  of  tears,  weeping  for   their  sins  ;  and  some 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  145 

of  them   went    away    deeply    wounded    themselves. 

Thursday,  T  went  to  Providence,  and  attended  an 
evening  meeting;  in  which  a  number  fell  and  cried  for 
mercy. 

Friday,  I  went  to  Scituate,  which  lies  about  ten  or 
twelve  miles  west  of  Providence,  and  attended  an 
evening  meeting;  but  nothing  special  took  place. 

Saturday,  1  returned  to  liurrilviUe,  and  attended  a 
meetmg  the  same  evening  at  Mr  Barnes';  had  a  sol- 
emn heavenly  time. 

Sabbath,  Oct.  11th,  I  preached  in  the  meeting- 
house, to  a  large,  attentive,  and  weeping  assembly. — 
In  the  evenin;^,  I  preached  at  Esq.  Steer's.  The 
house  was  crowded  with  people,  and  the  Lord  was 
in  the  midst-  One  young  woman  arose  and  spoke  as 
a  witness  for  the.Lord,  who  never  spoke  publicly  be- 
fore. 

Tuesday,  Oct.  13th,  I  attended  a  conference  at 
Mr.  Barnes'.  It  being  the  first  meeting  of  that  kind 
which  I  had  appointed  in  that  place,  I  was  under  the 
necessity  of  explaining  the  design  of  such  meetings, 
which  was,  that  each  Brother  and  Sister  might  enjoy 
the  privilege  of  freely  relating  their  experience,  and 
the  travel  of  their  minds  to  each  other.  The  breth- 
ren and  sisters  then  proceeded  in  a  regular  manner, 
and  related  as  they  felt  free;  it  proved  to  be  p  glorious 
meeting.  Two  related  their  experience,  and  offered 
themselves  for  baptism.  Six  or  eight  more  came  for- 
ward for  the  first  time,  told  their  determination  to  seek 
and  serve  the  Lord.  In  the  evening,  1  preached  at 
Mr  King's.  I  drew  the  bow  at  a  venture,  at  back- 
sliders; and  it  so  happened,  that  there  was  one  of 
that  character  in  the  meeting.  It  was  a  young  man, 
who  had  some  time  before  made  profession  of  religion 
and  had  receded  to  his  old  course,  and  had  even  gone 
into  outbreaking  sins.  The  arrow  struck  him  in  the 
heart,  and  wounded  him  sore.     A  few  days  after,  he 

13 


146  Lire  or  jobn  colbt. 

publicly  confessed  his  faults,  came  kneeling  to  Jesus, 
and  was  healed  of  his  backsliding. 

The  next  day,  as  I  was  passing  to  the  other  part  of 
the  town,  I  called  at  the  house  of  a  young  married 
couple.  After  conversing  with  them  a  few  minutes, 
I  kneeled  down  and  prayed;  the  man's  wife  and  sis- 
ter, both  fell  on  their  knees,  and  prayed  for  them- 
•elves.  This  was  the  first  time  they  had  ever  prayed 
publicly,  although  closets  and  secret  places  had  often 
been  witness  to  their  tears.  I  went  on  to  my  appoint- 
ment, which  was  at  Andrew  Ballard's.  We  had  a 
good  time,  and  for  my  further  encouragement,  one  of 
his  daughters  was  struck  under  conviction. 

Thursday,  Oct.  ISih,  I  went  into  the  east  part  of 
the  town,  and  preached  in  a  large  school-house,which 
was  filled  with  people.  The  next  day  I  visited  sev- 
eral families;  and  my  visits,  through  the  grace  of  God, 
proved  very  profitable.  In  the  evening,  1  preached 
at  a  school-house,  near  Capt.  Rhodes';  and  after 
meeting,  I  visited  the  young  married  couple  last  men- 
tioned, whom  1  had  visited  the  Wednesday  before. — 
I  found  the  young  man,  with  his  wife  and  sister,  all 
rery  solemn,  and  in  great  distress  for  their  souls. — 
They  all  prayed  that  evening,  but  found  no  relief. — 
The  next  morning,  I  prayed  with  them  again,  and  they 
all  joined  with  me  in  prayer.  The  young  sister  ap- 
peared to  be  very  deeply  and  solemnly  engaged;  and 
said,  "  O  Lord,  let  me  never  rise  from  my  knees, 
till  my  soul  is  converted.  If  thou  wilt  convert  my 
soul  and  lorgive  my  sins,  I  will  be  faithful  in  thy  cause; 
yea,  I  should  be  willing  to  be  a  laughing  stock  to  the 
whole  town,  for  thy  name  sake."  Hearing  these  words 
drop  from  her  lips,  and  observing  her  fervour,  I  felt 
confident  that  salvation  would  quickly  come  to  the 
house.  She  was  a  young  woman  of  good  abilities, 
and  belonged  to  a  respectable  family;  was  much  set 
by  among  her  acquaintance  and  companions;  yet  she 
was  willing  to  forsake  all  for  Christ.     Her  prayer  was 


LirE  OF  JOHNCOLBT.  147 

soon  answered,  and  she  began  to  praise  the  Lord,  in 
a  remarkable  manner,  for  the  wonderful  deiiverance 
which  she  had  found.  This  seemed  greatly  to  aggra- 
vate the  distress  of  her  weeping  sister-in-law;  who 
immediately  arose  from  her  knees,  walked  the  floor 
a  while,  and  as  she  passed  the  window,  observed  her 
father  aud  mother,  coming  up  to  th«  door.  They 
were  both  non-professors,  which,  if  possible,  seemed 
to  double  her  distress.  Feeling  herself  in  a  poor  sit- 
uation to  meet  her  parents,  she  immediately  retired  to 
another  apartment,  where  she  continued  to  walk  the 
floor,  till  her  sister  went  in,  and  kneeled  down  and 
prayed  for  her.  She  also  prayed  for  herself.  They 
continued  in  this  exercise  by  themselves,  about  half 
an  hour.  Her  father  left  the  house,  and  I,  in  the 
mean  time,  continued  in  the  room  with  her  mother. 
I  told  her  mother  I  thought  she  had  better  go  in  and 
see  her  daughter.  She  accordingly  did;  but  as  soon 
at  she  entered  the  room,  her  daughter  left  praying  for 
herself,  and  began  to  pray  for  her  mother,  which  cut 
the  old  lady  to  the  heart.  She  entreated  her  mother 
to  kneel  down  and  pray  for  herself,  and  for  her  poor 
daughter,  who  was  then,  (as  she  expressed  herself,) 
sinking  to  hell.  I  then  went  in,  and  prayed  for  her 
again;  and  while  1  was  praying  her  tears  ceased,  her 
burden  left  her,  and  an  heavenly  scene  opened  to  her 
view.  She  arose  and  went  into  another  room.  She 
said  every  thing  appeared  new,  and  that  her  soul  was 
perfectly  happy.*  In  the  afternoon,  I  preached  at  a 
ichool-house  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  A  nuni- 
ber  were  much  alarmed,  and  distressed  about  their 
situation  ;  especially  ^ome  of  the  relations  and  ac- 
quaintances of  the  young  women,  who  had  been  so 
lately  converted.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  at  Ksq. 
Steer's;  and  after  preaching,  those  two  young  women 

*Her  husband  was  soon  after  conrerted,  and  they   are  now 
bright  and  shining  lights  in  the  world. 


148  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT. 

spake  by  way  of  exhortation,  very  much  to  the  pur- 
pose. Towards  the  close  of  the  meeting,  a  number 
of  young  women  collected  togeiiier,  as  1  supposed,  in 
order  to  consult  what  to  do;  and  in  the  midst  of  their 
consultation,  the  young  unmarried  woman,  who  had 
been  converted  that  morning,  walked  along  to  the 
midst  of  them,  and  fell  upon  her  knees,  and  began  to 
pray  for  their  conversion.  Her  prayers  were  so  sen- 
sible, and  so  solemn,  that  none  could  evade  their  pow- 
er. A  nimiber  fell,  and  joined  witii  her  in  prayer; 
while  the  rest  stood  trembling  in  tears. 

Sabbath,  Oct.  18th,  I  preaciied  two  sermons  at  the 
meeting  house  in  Burrilville.  In  the  intermission,  I 
baptized  two  persons.  This  was  a  time  of  love  in- 
deed. In  the  evening,  I  preached  at  Capt  lihodes': 
two  backsliders  returned,  and  humbly  confessed  that 
the  xcay  of  transgressors  is  hard.  This  was  also  a  good 
time. 

Monday  and  Tuesday,  I  spent  in  visiting.  Tuesday 
evening,  I  preached  at  Esq.  Steer's. 

Wednesday,  I  preached  at  the  meeting-house  in 
Douglass.  This  was  a  time,  which  1  think  will  never 
be  forgotten  by  some.  In  the  evening  [  attended  a 
meeting  in  the  same  place.  A  number  were  greatly 
convicted,  and  some  cried  for  mercy;  I  trust  they 
were  heard.  The  next  day,  I  preached  again  at  the 
meeting  house  in  Burrilville.  And  in  the  evening,  I 
preached  again  in  Capt.  Rhodes'  neighborhood. 

Saturday  and  Sabbath  day,  I  preached  at  Scituate 
meeting-house;  and  in  the  evening  of  the  same  Sab- 
bath. I  preached  in  another  part  of  the  town,  at  one 
Slack's.  The  house  was  filled  with  people,  and  many 
stood  without  at  the  windows.  Our  meetings  at  Scit- 
uate, were  all  solemn,  and  I  trust  very  profitable. 

Monday  following,  it  rained  remarkably,  so  that  I 
could  not  leave  the  place.  But  I  was  convinced,  that 
this  also,  was  for  the  best;  and  one  of  the  all  things, 
which  worked  together  for  good,  to  them  that  love 


LIFE    or   JOHN  COLBT.  Ii9 

God.  A  number  of  people  came  io  and  stayed  all 
day,  and  some  all  night.  We  spent  the  time  in  prayer, 
and  religious  conversation,  and  had  a  refreshing  sea- 
son. 

Tuesday,  I  bid  them  farewell,  and  returned  to  Btif- 
rilv'ille. 

Wednesday,!  attended  t  meeting  at  Henry  Rhodes'. 
This  was  indeed  a  prayer  meeting:  almost  every  per- 
son, in  the  house>  prayed  vocally,  a  number  of  whom 
I  never  heard  pray  before. 

The  next  day,  at  evening  I  preached  in  another 
neighborhood,  in  company  with  Elder  Farnum,  from 
Providence,  at  a  house  where  I  had  never  preached  be- 
fore. One  of  the  man's  daughters  was  solemnly  con- 
victed. The  next  evening,  I  attended  meeting  at  Esq. 
Steer's.  Elder  Farnum  preached,  and  we  had  a  good 
time. 

The  day  following,  I  preached  the  funeral  sermoa 
of  a  woman,  who  had  left  a  husband,  and  large  family 
of  children  to  bemoan  her  loss,  not  one  of  whom  pro- 
fessed religion.     This  was  truly  a  solemn  time. 

Leaving  the  funeral,  I  returned;  and  in  the  evening, 
I  preached  again  in  the  neighborhood  of  Capt.  Rhodes. 
I  felt  my  soul  more  than  usually  drawn  out  to  God, 
for  the  spread  of  reformation.  Towards  the  close  of 
the  meeting,  I  kneeled  down  before  the  Lord,  and  be- 
ing exceedingly  spent,  I  prayed  in  the  following  man- 
ner, and  said,  O  Lord,  I  am  here  in  a  strange  land, 
far  from  all  my  relations  and  natural  friends;  my  la- 
bor since  I  came  into  this  place, has  exceeded  my  strength^ 
and  I  am  novo  reduced  to  a  very  low  state  of  health. — 
/  cannot  continue  but  a  little  while,  unless/  something 
favourable  should  take  place  for  the  recovery  of  nuf 
health.  And  now  Lord,  I  come  to  thee  and  ask  this 
one  favor^  this  one  petition  at  thy  hand:  that  thou 
wouldst  convert  a  number  of  these  young  men,  who  may 
serve  as  bearers,  to  carry  my  body  to  the  grave,  if  I 
should  die  in  this  country.  The  Lord  heard,  and  iai- 
13* 


160  LIFE  OP  John  COLBY. 

mediately  answered  the  petition.  Four  young  men, 
namely,  Duty  Paine,  Martin  Salisbury,  Christopher 
Saunders,  and  Joshua  Darhn,  were  immediately  con- 
verted to  God;  came  forward,  told  their  experience; 
offered  themselves  for  baptism;  and  in  the  presence 
of  hundreds,  followed  their  Saviour  into  the  watery 
grave.  This  was  a  solemn  day  to  the  spectators, who 
recollected  my  prayer.  And  indeed  it  was  a  solemn 
day  to  me,  when  1  saw  them  walking,  two  and  two, 
in  form  of  bearers  to  the  water.  And  I  said,  O  may 
my  soul  be  ripening  for  glory  as  fast  as  my  body  ri- 
pens for  the  grave. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  1st,  I  attended  meeting  in  the  meet- 
ing house  in  Burrilville  in  company  with  Elder  Far- 
num.  He  preached  to  the  purpose;  after  wiiich,  I 
delivered  an  exhortation,  and  felt  more  than  usually 
assisted  by  the  Spirit  and  power  of  God.  A  young 
man  of  takn'^ ..  then  arose  and  in  an  affecting  manner, 
declared  w;  r  the  J^ord  had  done  for  his  soul,  the 
nisht  before.  Some  others  spake  ot  the  goodness  of 
God;  a  number  of  others  cried  out  for  mercy,  and 
the  pardon  of  their  sins.  In  the  evening,  we  assem- 
bled at  Henry  Rhodes';  many  attended,  and  it  was  a 
solemn  time. 

Monday,  we  attended  meeting  in  a  school  house;  in 
the  east  part  of  the  town.  Elder  Farnum  preached, 
and  we  had  a  good  season.  By  the  request  of  the 
people,  we  left  an  appointment,  to  be  there  on  the 
next  Wednesday;  and  then  returned  again  to  the 
neighborhood  of  Capt.  Rhodes,  where  we  staid  that 
night,  at  Mr  Brown's.  This  we  found  to  be  a  profita- 
ble visit  in  the  family. 

The  next  day,  I  we:  ^  to  visit  two  familes,  who 
lived  in  one  house.  After  being  there  about  an 
hour,  I  went  into  that  part  of  the  house  where  the 
young  people  lived  ;  and  as  I  was  walking  the  floor  I 
began  to  sing  an  hymn.  The  poor  old  man,  (perhaps 
70  years  of  age)  who  was   in  the    door  yard,  hooping 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  161 

a  cask,  was  so  opposed  to  every  thing  of  a  religious 
nature,  that  he  was  immediately  so  filled  with  enmity, 
at  the  sound  of  singing,  that  he  ran  into  his  own  part 
ot  the  house  ;  and  with  a  ghastly  countenance,  vio- 
lently caught  hold  on  his  gun,  as  I  was  afterwards  in- 
formed by  his  daughter  who  saw  him,  ran  out  round 
the  house,  where  1  was  singing,  and  discharged  the 
piece.  The  explosion  was  loud  ;  but  whether  he 
meant  to  kill  me,  or  scare  me,  I  could  not  tell  :  how- 
ever I  think  it  was  the  latter.  But  it  so  happened 
that  it  did  neither.  1  contiued  singing  till  I  had  fin- 
ished my  hymn.  I  then  prayed  for  the  poor  old 
man,  and  the  rest  of  the  family,  and  assured  them, 
that  1  should  visit  them  the  oftener,  on  account  of  the 
conduct  of  the  old  man.  After  making  several  other 
visits,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  with  elder 
Farnum.  Several  were  powerfully  convicted  in  the 
meeting,  and  we  had  a  good  season. 

The  day  following,  we  attended  our  appointment 
at  the  school  house  in  the  east  part  of  the  town  ;  in 
which  we  found  great  satisfaction.  Some  fell  before 
the  Lord,  some  cried  for  mercy,  others  What  shall  I 
do  to  be  saved  ?  In  the  evening,  we  returned  to  Au 
gusty  Steer's,  where  we  had  a  previous  appointment ; 
a  number  of  young  converts,  spake  and  prayed. — 
Sister  Steer  told  her  experience  for  baptism. 

Next  day,  Elder  Farnum  left  me,  and  went  back  to 
Providence. 

Thursday,  Nov.  5th,  I  went  to  visit  a  family, 
where  1  found  a  young  woman  in  great  distress  hr 
her  soul.  She  continued  pleading  with  God  for  n  r- 
cy,  through  the  whole  afternoon  :  but,  blessed  be  his 
name  it  was  light  with  her  at  even  time  :  the  Lord 
appeared  for  her,  and  brought  her  out  of  darkness, 
into  his  marvellous  light.  That  afternoon,  I  was  ta- 
ken very  unwell.  The  next  day,  I  felt  no  better, 
and  was  destitute  of  appetite.  But  as  I  had  two 
meetings  appointed  in  Gloucester,  in  the  afternoon 


152  LirE  or  JOHNCOLBT. 

and  evening,  I  was  now  in  a  strait  between  two  ; 
whether  to  sacrifice  my  health,  or  my  word.  I  chose 
the  former  and  went  on  and  preached  in  the  aflernon, 
and  had  a  profitable  time.  From  thence  I  went  to 
Chepachet,  and  preached  in  the  evening  ;  and  al- 
though it  was  in  much  weakness  and  infirmity  of  body, 
yet,  1  trust,  it  was  for  the  good  of  souls.  After  meet- 
ing was  dismissed,  the  people  all  dispersed  and  left 
me  to  shift  for  myself.  I  made  out  to  get  on  my 
horse,  and  rode  to  Burrilville.  It  was  a  very  cold 
damp  night,  which  was  no  advantage  to  me,  in  my 
low  state  of  health. 

The  next  day,  being  Saturday,  I  continued  unwell, 
and  somewhat  worse,  having  renewed  my  cold  the 
night  before.  This  day  I  spent  in  retirement,  and 
employed  myself  in  writing,  though  scarcely  able  to 
sit  up.  However,  I  was  interrupted.  A  young  wo- 
man entered  the  room  with  a  pack  of  cards  in  her 
hand,  which  drew  my  attention  for  a  moment  I  ob- 
served however,  that  she  steered  to  the  fire,  and  com- 
mitted them  to  the  flames.  After  witnessing  their 
consumption,  she  left  the  room. — It  was  a  pleasing 
sight  to  me,  to  see  the  blooming  youth  breaking  off 
their  sins  by  righteousness,  forsaking  their  vain  de- 
lights, and  seeking  after  the  one  thing  needful.  And 
I  would  recommend  it  to  all,  who  are  card  holders, 
to  follow  her  example.  Oh  !  how  much  better  it  is, 
to  burn  the  cards,  than  to  follow  those  delusive  plays, 
enchanting  delights,  and  sinful  companions,  till  they 
lead  them  to  hell,  where  the  worm  dieth  not,  and  the 
fire  is  not  quenched.  Oh!  what  stupendous  folly 
must  that  soul  be  guilty  of,  who  chooses  sin's  short 
and  momentary  pleasures,  at  the  dear  expense  of  suff- 
ering the  vengeance  of  eternal  fire. 

Saturday  evening, we  had  a  good  season.  Three 
came  forward,  and  told  their  experience,  and  desired 
to  go  forward  in  baptism. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  8th,  I  was  quite  unwell,  but  went 


LIFE  OF   JOHN   COLET.  153 

to  Burrilville  meeting-house  ;  I  found  a  large  number 
of  people  collected.  I  went  into  the  pulpit,  though 
scarcely  able  to  stand.  Brother  Lee,  of  Vt.  prayed. 
After  which  I  attempted  to  preach  :  and  as  1  began 
to  speak,  my  strength  was  renewed,  and  1  immediate- 
ly felt  strong,  both  in  body  and  soul.  My  voice  was 
uncommonly  strong,  and  I  was  enabled  to  lift  it  up 
like  a  trumpet.  I  felt  as  though  it  was  my  last  dis- 
course, and  doubtless  it  was,  to  many  who  heard  me 
that  day.  After  the  close  of  the  exercise  at  the  meet- 
ing-house, we  repaired  to  the  water,  and  I  baptised 
four  persons,  in  the  presence  of  a  very  large  and  sol- 
emn assembly.  For  about  two  or  three  hours  after  I 
came  out  of  the  water.  I  felt  as  though  my  health  was 
perfectly  restored.  But  when  the  heavenly  flame  in 
my  soul  had  a  little  abated,  I  felt  my  old  infirmities 
returning  upon  me  again.  Some  concluded  that  I 
should  take  cold,  and  be  worse,  by  going  into  the 
water.  However,  I  believed  their  conclusion  was 
groundless,  as  I  have  been  into  the  water,  on  the  same 
occasion,  at  a'l  seasons  of  the  year,  and  am  positive 
that  I  never  took  any  cold  in  that  way  :  but  have  ever 
found  his  promise  fulfilled  to  me,  who  says,  "  My 
grace  is  sufficient  for  thee." 

In  the  evening  I  attended  a  meeting  ;  but  was  so 
unwell,  that  I  was  not  able  to  say  but  a  few  words. — 
Brother  Lee  preached  the  word  to  the  people. 

Monday,  I  continued  unwell,  and  was  very  feverish, 
and  not  able  to  sit  up.  In  the  evening,  I  was  much 
exercised  with  pain,  and  had  a  restless  night. 

Tuesday,  I  felt  no  better,  but  still  remained  very 
feverish.  1  continued  much  so  through  the  week, 
and  was  attended  with  a  violent  cough,  especially  in 
the  night  time.  Finding  my  complaints  increased,  I 
began  to  have  some  serious  inquiries  on  my  mmd, 
whether  the  time  of  my  departure  was  not  at  hand. — 
I  was  now  at  a  great  distance  from  my  earthly  rela- 
tives ;  but  found  that  I  had  a  friend  that  sticketh  closer 


154  LIFE  or  JOHN  COLBT. 

than  a  brother.  The  Lord  granted  me  his  presence, 
and  I  felt  a  sweet  composure  of  mind.  But  feeling 
doubtful  of  my  health,  1  gave  orders  to  some  peculiar 
brethren,  concerning  my  funeral,  in  case  I  should  die; 
chose  the  man  to  preach  my  funeral  sermon,  my  bear- 
ers, the  place  for  my  burial,  &.c.  In  this  state,  1  had 
a  realizing  sense  of  the  beauty  and  worth  of  religion  ; 
and  had  a  pleasing  and  soul-ravishing  view  of  the  pas- 
sage from  the  boisterous  sea  of  life,  through  the  cold 
shades  of  death  to  the  blissful  mansions  of  heavenly 
glory  ;  and  felt  not  the  least  dismal  fear  of  sinking  ; 
but  was  confident  that  the  Lord  would  keep  that 
which  [  had  committed  to  him.  Oh  !  did  the  bold 
infidel  but  view,  and  know  the  real  happiness,  which 
is  enjoyed  in  religion,  he  would  never  indulge  the  least 
thought  of  living  any  longer  in  the  service  of  his  old 
master  ;  but  would  forsake  all  for  Christ. 

Sabbath,  November  15,  I  remained  so  unwell  that 
I  was  unable  to  attend  meeting.  Several  young  peo- 
ple called  to  see  me,  and  some  of  them  were  struck 
under  conviction  the  same  day. 

Monday  and  Tuesday,  I  began  to  revive,  and  my 
pain  and  fever  abated.  Tuesday  evening,  the  people 
collected,  and  I  had  itrength  given  me  to  exhort  a 
little.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  I  found  that  I  had 
renewed  my  strength.  I  continued  to  recover  my 
health  through  the  week,  so  that  in  the  course  of  it,  I 
attended  five  meetiogs,  and  had  comfortable  seasons 
in  them  all. 

Sabbath,  November,  22d,  I  attended  meeting  at 
the  meeting-house  in  Burrilville,  in  company  with 
Elder  Farnum,  and  after  praying,  preaching,  &c.  we 
set  apart  Richard  Lee,  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. — 
The  ordination  was  attended  to  with  great  solemnity. 
This  Richard  Lee,  is  a  resident  of  the  town  of  Spring- 
field, Vt.  ;  is  about  middle  aged  ;  has  been  preaching 
some  time  ;  and  seen  some  fruits  of  his  labors.  O 
may  the  Lord  bless  and  increase  the  fruits  abundantly. 


LIFE  OF   JOHN  COLBT.  155 

In  the  evening,  we  attended  meeting  at  Eiq  Steer's. 
The  house  was  crowded  with  people,  and  the  power 
of  God  was  greatly  manifested.  A  number  who  had 
been  previously  opposing  religion,  were  struck  under 
conviction,  fell  upon  their  knees  in  presence  of  the 
congregation,  and  cried  to  the  Lord  for  mercy. 

Monday,  Nov.  23d,  I  attended,  the  funeral  of  a 
little  girl  in  Douglas  meeting-house.  She  was  about 
three  years  old,  and  was  burnt  to  death  accidentally, 
in  a  little  cabin  near  a  coal  kiln.  The  circumstances 
were  truly  affecting,  but  too  many  to  relate  here. — 
The  funeral  was  attended  with  great  solemnity,  and  I 
humbly  hope  that  it  vtas  sanctified  to  the  good  of  the 
parents  and  others.  After  meeting  I  went  back  to 
Burrilville,  and  attended  a  meeting  at  Joseph  Abby's, 
who  lives  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  In  this  meet- 
ing, several  fell  before  the  Lord,  and  cried  to  him  to 
forgive  their  sins,  and  have  mercy  on  their  souls. — 
Next  morning,  we  had  an  unusual  solemn  time  in  the 
season  of  family  prayer.  Some  of  the  neighbours 
came  in  to  join  with  us,  and  were  constrained  to  bow 
at  the  feet  of  the  Saviour,  and  acknowledge  that  he 
was  Lord  of  all. 

Tuesday  evening,  I  attended  meeting  at  Augusty 
Steer's.  One  aged  man,  who  had  been  a  number  of 
days  under  powerful  conviction,  arose,  and  in  a  flood 
of  tears,  and  most  affecting  manner,  confessed  to  his 
neighbours,  what  a  wicked  life  he  had  lived  ;  how 
he  had  spent  his  days  in  drunkenness,  card  playing, 
&c.  ;  and  entreated  all  around  him,  to  cease  from 
treading  the  paths  of  vice,  and  to  embrace  the  reli- 
gion of  Jesus  Christ.  Several  more  followed  his  ex- 
ample, and  conviction  seemed  to  increase  on  the 
minds  of  many  By  this  time,  opposition  seemed  al- 
most entirely  suppressed,  and  the  enemy  had  scarcely 
a  place  left  him  to  set  his  foot  on. 

Thursday,  Nov.  26ih,  was  set  apart  by  the  Legis- 
lature for  Thanksgiving.     I  attended  meeting  in  Lsq. 


156  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

Wood's  hall.  This  privilege  I  considered  as  the  an- 
swer of  many  prayers,  which  I  had  put  up  to  God, 
since  1  had  been  in  ihe  place.  P'or  I  had  oiten  pray- 
ed, that  God  would  move  on  the  heart  of  the  Esq.  to 
invite  tne  to  preach  at  his  house.  The  Sabbath  day 
night  before,  my  prayer  was  answered.  ]Ie  arose  ip 
the  meeting,  recommended  the  work  of  the  Lord, 
^vhicll  was  going  on  ;  and  wished  his  neighbors  to 
embrace  relijiion.  And  ahiiough  he  conlessed  he 
had  not  got  religion  himself,  yet  he  said  he  hoped  he 
should  have  it  scon  ;  and  then  invited  me  to  come 
and  preach  in  his  house.  1  his  was  indeed  a  thanks- 
giving day  to  many  of  the  followers  of  Christ  :  and  a 
day,  which,  1  believe,  will  never  be  forgotten.  I 
preached  from  Jonah,  ii.  9  :  "  But  I  will  sacrifice  un- 
to thee  with  the  voice  of  thanksgiving  ;  I  will  pay 
that,  that  I  have  vowed.  Salvation  is  of  the  Lord." 
J  recited  the  conduct  of  Jonah,  and  compared  it  with 
that  of  modern  backsliders,  who,  like  him,  acknowl- 
edged themselves  to  be  Hebrews,  (or  christians,) 
and  profess  to  fear  God  ;  but  yet  are  going  on  in  di- 
rect opposition  to  all  his  laws  ;  and,  as  it  were,  open- 
ing his  wounds  afresh,  and  putting  him  to  an  open 
shame.  1  he  bow  was  drawn  at  a  venture,  but  God 
directed  the  arrow  :  for  the  message  was  set  home 
with  [)ower,  to  the  heart  of  one  poor  old  backslider, 
who  had  professed  religion  in  the  days  of  his  youth. — 
After  1  had  done  preaclnng,  he  arose  aud  made  a  very 
humble  acknowledgement.  jNIany  others  spake  bold- 
ly in  testimony  of  the  truth  they  had  heard.  I  then 
requested  all  who  felt  resolved  to  seek  and  serve  the 
Lord,  to  manifest  it  by  rising  up.  Ihe  whole  assem- 
bly, excejjting  one  or  two,  arose  like  a  cloud:  a  sol- 
emn awe  seemed  to  rest  on  the  assembly.  I  then 
prayed;  many  fell  on  their  knees  with  me,  and  so  the 
meeting  concluded.  I  then  mounted  my  horse,  and 
rode  to  the  east  part  of  the  town,  to  attend  an  eve- 
ning  appointment,    which    I  had  previously   made. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  157 

When  I  came  to  the   place,  I  found  a  large  and   con- 
venient house,    well  filled   with  people,   the  most  of 
whom  were  young.     Here  I  had  anoilier  thanksgiving. 
I  was   remarkably  thankful,   to  see  such  a   crowd    of 
young  people  collected  to  hear  the   word;  especially 
as  I  understood  that  great  preparation   had  been  made 
by  them  lor  what  they  termed  a  Thanksgiving   Ball 
within  about  a  mile  of  the  meeting;  and  who  hid  also 
given  out  word,  that  they  intended  to  see  who    would 
draw  the  greatest  par;y.      Having  h  ard  of  thesf  things, 
and  knowing  how   strong  the   current  of  wickedness 
had  formerly  run  through  this  town,  (I  mean  with  the 
rude  and  baser  sort  of  people;)  my. heart  felt  uncom- 
monly melted   to  see  so  many  appear  on  the   Lord's 
side.     I  spake  chiefly  to  the   youth,  who  paid  an   un- 
common attention  to  the  word.     IVIany  mourned   and 
wept.     Some  cried  for  mercy;  and  others,  expressed 
their  determination  to  leave  the  ball-rooms,  and   enter 
into  the  service  of  the  Lord.     Through  the  course  of 
the  meeting,  1  felt  a  remarkable  spirit  of  prayer,    for 
those  who   had  chosen  the  ball,  in   preference  ro   the 
meeting  of  worship;  vvho  seemed  determmed  to  stand 
their  ground,   and,   if  possible,  to   maintain  their  war 
with  the  Lamb.      I   prayed   for  them   vocally,  in   the 
presence  of  the  assembly,    that  God  would,  in   some 
way,    manifest   his  displeasure   against  such   conduct; 
that  they  might  know  that  there  is  a  God,  vvho  reigns 
in  the  heavens,  who  will  call  them  to  an  account  for 
their  carnal  mirth  and  wickedness.     I  was  afterwards 
informed  that  their  ball  fell  through.     The  Lord  troub- 
led them  as  he  did  the  Egyptian,  Exod.  xiv.    24,  25. 
When  they  found  that  they  were  disappointed,   many 
of  them  feeling  condemnation  resting  on  their  minds, 
would  have  been  glad  to  have  come  to  the   meeting, 
had   it  not  been   so  late,  that  they  were  ashamed   to 
come:  so  they  broke  up  and  went  home. 

I   must  her?   remark,   that   the  young   man  of  the 
house,  (Mr  Morrey,)   who  had  been  addicted  to  the 
14 


158  LIFE  OF  John  colbi. 

same  practices  which  had  been  so  prevalent  in  this 
town,  hiul,  previous  to  this  meeting  burnt  his  cards, 
and  inoiiuited  fiimily  worshij)  in  his  house. 

Friday  and  iSaturday,  1  had  good  seasons  in  visiting 
several  families,  and  att'^nding  prayer  meetings,  &c. 
In  this  time  I  had  the  privilege  of  hearing  a  number 
praise  God,  \vhom  I  had  never  heard  before. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  29ih,  1  preached  in  a  school-house, 
in  the  same  neighborhood*  It  being  a  very  stormy 
day,  but  few  attended.  In  the  evening,  I  went  into 
another  neighborhood,  where  I  found  a  number  of 
brethren,  and  a  number  of  niourning  souls,  collected 
together.  We  wailed  on  the  Lord,  and  renewed  our 
strength:  blessed  be  his  name. 

Monday  evening,  Nov.  30th,  1  preached  at  Asa 
Builingame's,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  The 
house,  which  was  very  convenient  to  meet  in,  had  for- 
merly been  used  for  the  accommodation  of  dancing 
school-,  and  as  a  rendezvous.*  A  very  large  number 
of  people  collected,  to  see  it  converted  into  a  meet- 
ing house  for  worship,  and  hear  the  first  sermon  preach- 
ed in  it.  ►Solemnity  rested  on  the  congregation,  and 
I  trust  the  meeting  was  crowned  with  success.  One 
bright  young  man  came  forward,  and  spake,  and  prais- 
ed the  Lord  for  the  first  time.  lie  told  his  sinful  com- 
panions, that  he  was  resolved  to  manilesl  his  laith  by 
his  works,  and  that  he  was  to  turn  his  back  upon  them 
all,  take  up  his  cross  daily,  and  follow  Christ,  and 
maintain  practical  religion.  It  was  somethirjg  late, 
when  the  meeting  was  dismissed;  which,  when  it  was 
done,  the  people  were  so  engaged,  that  they  were  un- 
willing to  go  away.  A  number  tarried  all  night.  I 
conversed  with  them  till  one  o'clock  in  the  n)orning. 
As  I  was  about  to  retire,  1  kneeled  down  and  prayed 
for  the  family.     Two  young  women,  belonging  to   it, 

*rrevious  to  its  being  owned  by  Mr  Burlingame,  vho  is  him- 
self an  exemplary  man,  and  abhors  such  practices. 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBTT.  159 

fell  on  their  knees  before  the  Lord,  and  begged  for 
mercy.  One  of  them  was  at  a  thanksgiving  ball  be- 
fore mentioned.  She  told  what  conviction  and  con- 
demnation she  felt;  and  continued  pleading  for  pardon, 
m  a  most  humble  and  penitent  manner,  till  about  sev- 
en o'clock  the  next  morning.  These,  and  several 
others,  being  in  distress  through  the  night,  I  took  no 
rest:  sleep  departed  from  my  eyes. 

Tuesday  evening,  T  attended  meeting  at  Henry 
Rhodes'.  I  had  a  cood  season,  and  some  came  for- 
ward for  the  first  time. 

Wednesday,  I  attended  meeting  in  the  east  part  of 
the  town:  found  the  reformation  still  spreading,  and 
opposition  falling.  A  number  of  young  people,  who 
came  to  the  meeting,  were  struck  under  conviction; 
and  two  or  three  manifested  that  they  had  found  peace 
m  their  souls,  very  lately. 

Thursday,  Friday  and  Saturday,  I  spent  my  time  in 
praying,  writing,  visiting,  &c. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  6th,  I  preached  at  the  meeting  house; 
and  in  the  evening,  at  Esq,  Steer's.  This  was  a  glo- 
rious time;  and  1  had  reasoit  to  believe,  that  the  Lord 
answered  my  prayer:  for  before  the  meeting  closed, 
five  came  forward,  professed  faith  in  Christ,  and  bold- 
ly declared  that  they  were  resolved  to  serve  the  Lord. 

Monday  evening,  I  preached  at  Mi  Salisbury's, and 
both  he  and  his  wife,  spake  and  prayed  in  the  meet- 
ing. He  also  told  his  neighbours,  that  he  had  trusted 
in  the  doctrine  of  Universalism  from  his  youth  up, 
till  within  two  years:  hut  said  he,  the  Lord  then  con- 
vinced me,  on  a  sick  bed,  that  that  doctrine  would 
not  do;  and  notwithstanding  I  have  been  so  anxious 
for  the  things  of  time  and  sense,  I  now  feel  a  greater 
desire  for  experimental  and  practical  religion,  than  ev- 
er I  did  for  the  world.  I  have  closed  my  doors  against 
balls,  and  sinful  parlies;  and  have  opened  them  for 
meetings  of  leligious  worship,  &c.  His  wife  said  that 
she  went  into  the  grove  that  day,  and  kneeled  down, 


IGO  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBT. 

With  a  (lelerniinatinn  never  to  leave  the  throne  of 
grace,  till  she  found  peace  to  her  troubled  soul:  and 
ihat  wliile  she  remained  in  this  altitude,  pleading  with 
God  for  deliverance,  he  )iad  appeared  foi  l)er,  and 
freed  her  from  the  burden  of  sin  and  guilt,  which  she 
had  felt  for  several  weeks.  The  next  morning,  a 
young  man,  a  son  in  'aw  to  the  man  just  mentioned, 
was  brought  in  a  very  clear  and  powerful  manner:  al- 
so, one  of  his  sons,  and  a  journeyman,  who  was  to 
work  at  the  house,  were  both  struck  under  powerful 
conviction,  and  were  soon  after  brought  out  of  dark- 
ness into  God's  marvellous  light. 

Tuesday,  I  preached  at  Esq.  Cook's,  and  in  the 
evening,  at  Augusta  Steer's.  At  the  evening  mei^ing, 
three  persons  related  their  experience;  and  desired  to 
be  baptised. 

Wednesday,  Dec.  9th  being  my  birth  day,  I  ap- 
pointed a  meeting  on  that  occasion,  at  Esq.  Wood's 
hall,  at  one  o'clock  P.  M.  At  twelve  o'clock,  I  went 
lo  the  water,  and  baptised  four  persons,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  a  multitude  of  people.  We  then  repaired  to 
the  liall,  which  was  crowded  with  an  attentive  assem- 
bly. I  spake  from  Psal.  Ixvi.  IG:  "  Come  and  hear, 
all  ye  that  fear  God,  and  I  will  declare  what  he  hath 
done  for  my  soul."  I  related  my  experience  to  the 
people,  and  told  them  what  the  Lord  had  done  forme. 
[  felt  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  upon  me:  the  people  were 
much  affected  at  hearing  my  narrative;  and  there  were 
but  a  few  dry  eyes  in  the  assembly.  At  the  close  of 
the  exercise,  it  was  judged  that  there  were  about  sixty 
persons,  who  joined  with  me  in  prayer.  We  spent 
the  evening  at  Esq.  Steer's,  where  a  large  number 
collected,  and  spake  with  great  freedom  of  the  good- 
ness of  the  Lord  to  liiern;  a  number  for  the  first 
time. 

Eriday  evening,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  the  north- 
easterly part  of  the  town;  I  found  a  number  earnestly 
seeking  after  Christ,  and  a  number  of  others,  praising 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  161 

the  Lord  for  the  deliverance  he  had  wrought  for  their 
souls. 

Saturday  evening,  I  attended  a  meeting  at  Captain 
Henry  Rhodes':  this  also  was  a  good  time. 

Sabbath,  Dec.  13th,  we  met  again  in  Esq.  Wood's 
hall.  After  singing  and  prayer,  1  discovered  that  a 
large  number  of  the  converts,  were  much  impressed; 
or,  raiher  filled  with  the  iloly  Ghost.  I  then  men- 
tioned that,  '■^  ichere  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  there 
is  liberty ;^^  and  that  if  any  had  a  testimony  for  God, 
they  had  as  much  right  to  deliver.it  before  sermon  as 
after.  They  then  began  to  speak,  and  spoke  one  by 
one,  until  about  thirty  had  spoken.  I  then  preached 
a  sermon;  after  which  the  meeting  closed.  This  was 
a  scene  of  solemn  joy.  In  the  evening  we  assembled 
again  at  Esq.  Steer's;  and  were  favoured,  as  usual, 
with  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 

Monday  and  Monday  evening,  I  made  another  vis- 
it to  the  northeasterly  part  of  the  town. 

Tuesday  evening,  I  returned,  and  attended  meeting 
at  Capt.  Henry  Rhodes',  where  a  large  number  of  the 
brethren  and  sisters  and  mourning  souls,  were  col- 
lected. As  I  expected  soon  to  leave  the  place,  I  sug- 
gested to  them,  that  1  thought  it  would  be  proper,that 
they  should  be  embodied  into  a  church,  before  I  left 
them.  I  found  they  were  all  united  in  this;  and  they 
agreed  to  take  the  scriptures  of  truth,  for  their  only 
rule  of  faith  and  practice.  I  accordingly  proceeded 
and  embodied  them,  and  they  subscribed  to  the  fol- 
lowing agreement,  viz: — "  We  are  agreed  in  repair- 
ing to  the  scriptures  of  truth,  as  our  only  and  all  suf- 
ficient rule  of  practice:  believing,  that  there  is  no 
man  wise  enough,  to  revise  the  laws  of  Christ,  or  to 
alter  them  for  the  better.  Neither  do  we  consider 
ourselves,  or  any  other  society,  perfect,  in  a  strict 
sense,  so  but  that  we  are  liable  to  errors  and  imper- 
fections; and  of  course,  if  any  man  or  men,  fix  a  book 
of  discipline  to  govern  the  church  by,  it  must  be  an 
14* 


162  tIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

imperfect  one.  The  Lortl  Jesus  Christ  has  given  us 
a  perfect  law  of  liberty;  and  we  are  nut  willing  to  ex- 
change a  perfect  lavo^  for  an  imperfect  one.  We 
therefore  consider  that  the  scriptures  are  suflicicnt  for 
the  church  to  make  their  appeal  to,  on  any  and  eveiy 
occasion:  for  saiih  Paul  to  Timothy,  JIU  scripture  is 
given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is  profUahlefor  doc- 
trine^ for  reproof  Jor  correction,  for  instrvction  in 
righteousness;  that  the  man  of  God  may  he  perject^ 
thoroiighly  furnished  into  all  good  works.  H  there- 
fore, we  are  tlioronghly  furnished,  we  need  nothing 
more,  than  to  consider  the  scriptures  of  truth,  as  our 
only  and  all  sufllicieni  rule  of  I'aith  and  practice;  ho- 
ping and  praying,  that  we  shall  all  be  led  by  the  same 
spirit,  by  which  they  were  written.  Therefore,  under 
these  considerations,  we  not  only  consider  it  our  duty, 
but  esteem  it  our  privilege,  to  be  embodied,  or  united 
together  as  a  church;  and  having  first  given  ourselves 
to  (iod,  we  now  give  ourselves  to  one  another  by  the 
will  of  God  to  watch  over  each  other  for  good,  and 
build  each  other  up,  in  the  most  holy  faiih:  to  bear 
one  another's  burdens,  and  so  fulfil  the  law  of  Christ. 
And  now,  as  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ,  as  children 
of  one  family,  and  heirs  of  the  grace  of  God,  we  cov- 
enant, unite,  and  agree,  to  stand  by  each  other,  and 
do  all  we  can  to  strengthen  and  encourage  each  other, 
on  our  heavenly  journey:  and  also  to  preserve  an  un- 
ion and  harmony  in  the  church,  by  attending  to  the 
worship  of  God,  and  all  the  ordinances  of  his  house. 
And  may  the  Lord  grant  us  grace  and  wisdom,  that 
we  may  shine  as  lights  in  the  world;  and  this  church 
be  as  a  city  set  on  a  hill  that  cannot  be  hid.  There- 
fore, as  an  evidence  of  our  thus  uniting,  as  above 
mentioned,  we  give  orders  to  the  cleik,  to  enroll  our 
names  together,"  &c. 

Wednesday,  I  preached  in    the  north  part  of  the 

♦Extract  from  Church  record. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  163 

town,  from  Songs  v.  7  :  "  The  watchmen  that  went 
about  the  city  found  me,"  &c.  I  told  the  people  that 
I  had  come  to  hunt  them  up,  and  hoped  that  by  the 
grace  of  God,  1  should  be  enabled  to  find  them  all 
before  the  close  of  the  meeting.  The  people  looked 
at  me  as  though  they  believed  I  had  a  search  warrant 
from  above.  The  Lord  directed  my  mind  to  every 
condition,  viz — of  those  in  a  lukewarm  and  backslid- 
den state  : — to  those  who  were  at  variance  with  their 
neighbours,  and  in  their  families  ; — tothe  caseoftiiose 
who  were  hardened  in  sin,  and  blinded  in  iniquity  ; 
wasting  their  time  in  vice  and  folly,  slighting  the  son 
of  God,  and  neglecting  the  great  salvation.  And  at 
last  to  the  case  of  the  little  few,  who  were  iravelling 
through  life's  uneven  way,  to  the  celestial  world  above. 
I  felt  remarkably  assisted,  and  when  I  closed  the 
meeting,  1  started  to  go  on  to  my  evening  appoint- 
ment. W  hen  I  came  to  the  door,  I  found  a  man 
standing  on  the  door  stone,  who  appeared  to  be  in 
great  distress.  I  asked  him  the  cause  of  his  weeping; 
he  exclaimed,  O  sir,  I  am  a  great  sinner,  I  have  had 
many  calls,  and  have  rejected  them  all.  1  promised 
the  Lord  that  if  he  would  spare  me  till  I  was  forty- 
three,  I  would  then  seek  and  serve  him.  And,  con- 
tinued he,  yesterday  was  my  birth  day.  I  was  forty- 
three  years  old  ;  and  now  I  fear,  if  I  do  p.ot  hearken 
to  this  call,  1  shall  never  have  another.  I  told  him  I 
feared  so  loo,  and  exhorted  him  to  look  to  the  Lord 
for  mercy,  and  not  to  rest  night  nor  day,  till  he  had 
found  it.  Thus  I  left  him  in  a  flood  of  tears,  with  a 
number  of  others  who  were  standing  round,  and  went 
on  to  my  evening  appointment,  at  which  we  had  a 
solemn  time. 

Thursday,    17th    of  Dec,     I  left   Burrilville,    and 
went  to  Providence. 

•  Friday  evening,  as  I  was  praying  at  a  certain  house; 
a  man  opposed  to  religion  came  in  (half  drunk,)  drag- 


164  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

ged  his  wife  from  her  knees,  and  led  her  out  of  the 
meeting  ;  and  in  a  great  rage  drove  her  home. 

Saturday,  J  dined  at  Doctor  (lonoe's,  a  pastor  of 
the  first  Baptist  Church  in  Providence,  in  company 
with  Elder  Lewis  and  Elder  ]?eriedi(,';t  *  The  Doctor 
and  the  other  Elders,  invited  me  to  jireach  with  them. 
Saturday  evening,  I  spent  in  conference  with  a  num- 
ber of  loving  hreihren,  which  was  an  agreeable  sea- 
son, and  tiine  well  spent. 

Sabbath,  Dec,  20th,  in  the  forenoon,  I  preached 
with  Elder  Lewis  ;  and  in  the  afternoon  with  Doctor 
Gonoe.  I  enjoyed  good  freedom  all  the  day.  The 
same  evening,  1  preached  in  what  is  called  the  upper 
part  of  the  town,  to  a  very  crowded  assembly.  In 
this  meeting,  four  young  people  fell  on  their  knees, 
cried  for  mercy,  and  desired  me  to  pray  for  them, 
which  I  was  willing  to  do. 

Monday  evening,  1  preached  in  another  part  of  the 
town  ;  I  trust  it  was  a  profitable  meeting  to  many. 

Wednesday,  Dec.  23d,  I  left  Providence,  and 
went  to  Scituate.  In  the  evening,  preached  at  a  tav- 
ern, owned  by  one  Philips,  to  a  very  crowded  assem- 
bly. This  man  with  his  family,  enjoyed  the  riches 
and  honours  of  this  world.  I  was  however  informed, 
that  he  had  one  daughter  who  was  wiiling  to  forsake 
all  for  Christ.     This  was  matter  of  joy  to  me. 

Thursday,  I  started  early  for  Hartford,  in  Connect- 
icut ;  and  went  that  day  as  far  as  Ashford.  I  tarried 
that  n"ght  at  Deac.  Knowl  ton's.  I  here  heard  of  a  re- 
markable death.  Adriih  Sharp,  a  young  woman 
probably  in  the  bloom  of  life,  was  sitting  in  her  loom 
weaving.  A  wasp  or  hornet  stung  her  in  the  ancle, 
at  which  she  immediately  cried  out  and  said,  I  am 
going  ;  and  instantly  her  head  fell  in  her  sister's  lap, 
her  sister  thought  she  had  fainted,  and  would  soon 
come  to  herself,  as  she  had  done  before  on  such  oc- 

*Author  of  the  iate  history  of  the  baptists. 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBY.  165 

casions.  But,  instead  of  this,  she  began  to  swell, 
and  immediately  swelled  all  over  ;  her  tongue  swelled 
out  of  her  mouth  ;  and  in  fifteen  minutes  from  the 
time  she  was  stung,  she  was  a  corpse  ! — I  received 
this  information  from  her  sister,  and  recollected  the 
words  of  Watts  : — 
.„.../     "  Dangers  stand  thick  through  all  the  ground, 

/^^o  push  us  to  the  tomb." 

Friday,  I  went  to  Hartford,  for  the  first  time  ;  and 
on  Saturday,  to  West-Hartford,  where  I  found  a  num- 
ber of  my  old  acquaintance,  who  were  converted  in 
the  reformation  which  took  place  in  Vermont,  two 
years  before.  I  found  some  of  them  well  engaged, 
and  we  enjtjyed  much  consolation  together. 

Sabbaih  day,  Dec.  27th,  I  returned  to  the  city, — 
In  the  day  time;  I  preached  at  the  Baptist  meeting- 
house, and  in  the  evening  at  a  private  house.  Ihe 
word  appeared  to  have  some  good  effect.  The  next 
morning,  when  I  called  for  my  horse,  I  found  my 
reckoning  was  enough  to  take  all  my  money  save  six 
cents  ;  which  was  but  a  small  sum  to  bear  one's  ex- 
penses rising  of  sixty  miles,  where  the  country  is  all 
cut  up  with  turnpikes  and  toil  bridges.  However, 
the  good  people  where  [  stayed,*  bid  me  God  speed, 
and  mvited  me  to  preach  there  again  before  1  left 
them.  1  do  not  know  what  these  good  people  thought 
I  should  live  on  through  the  journey,  unless  they 
thought  that  the  Lord  would  mainta  in  me  by  a  mira- 
cle. However,  I  sat  out  with  my  four  pence  half 
penny,  and  thought  I  would  put  my  trust  in  Him  who 
feeds  the  ravens,  and  get  along  as  well  as  I  could. — ■ 
Findiiig  that  the  toll  of  the  large  bridge  which  crosses 
the  Connecticut  river,  was  pretty  high,  I  concluded 
to  pass  over  the  ferry  ;  and  after  waiting  half  an  hour, 
for  the  men  to  cut  the  boat  out  of  the  ice  they  sat  me 
over  for  three  cents.     I    then    had   three  whole  cents 

*They  were  professors  of  religion. 


166  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

left  to  bear  my  expenses  on  the  turnpike,  to  Biirril- 
ville,  (il.  I.)  My  money  was  soon  expendecl  ;  and 
when  1  came  to  the  second  gate,  I  had  no  money  to 
pay  my  toll,  and  1  knew  not  what  to  do,  being  a 
stranger,  and  the  woman  who  came  out  to  take  the 
toll,  saying  she  must  have  the  money.  At  last  I  ask- 
ed her,  if  she  would  take  my  pocket  handkerchief  for 
the  toll,  (which  was  but  five  cents,)  and  let  me  pas 
on,  as  1  was  in  great  haste.  After  thinking  some  time, 
she  concluded  she  would  ;  but  seemed  to  be  afraid 
hat  I  had  given  her  too  much,  as  the  handkerchief 
was  new.  I  told  her  she  was  entirely  welcome  to  it, 
and  went  on  studying  how  I  should  get  through  the 
next.  When  I  came  in  sight  of  the  nexi  g;ite,  it  gave 
me  some  disagreeable  feelings,  considering  iliat  I  had 
no  money  to  pay  toll  ;  I  viewed  myself  disqualified 
to  pass.  The  following  thought  then  arose  in  my 
mind  ;  If  it  makes  me  feel  so  disagreeable  to  attempt 
to  pass  this  gate  without  money,  how  will  the  poor 
sinner  feel,  when  he  comes  to  the  gate  of  heaven, 
witl, out  the  King's  coin,  or  without  the  necessary 
qualification,  the  love  of  God  in  the  soul  ?  When  I 
came  to  the  gate,  a  young  man  came  out  to  take  toll. 
I  told  him  I  had  no  money  ,  and  taking  out  my  hymn 
book  asked  him  if  he  would  take  that  for  the  toll. — 
He  said  he  would.  I  then  gave  it  him,  bid  him  good 
by  and  went  on.  Before  I  came  to  another  gate  I 
called  at  the  house  of  a  man  who  had  sent  several 
errands  by  me  to  Hartford,  for  which  he  generously 
gave  me  a  dinner,  horse-baiting  and  twenty-five  cents 
in  money.  I  was  now  wholefooted  ;  I  had  got  mon- 
ey again  to  pay  my  toll.  And  I  do  not  know  but 
what  I  felt  as  thankful  for  it  as  Paul  did  when  he  came 
to  Eppi forum.  With  this  I  went  on  to  Pomfret, 
where  I  had  previously  appointed  a  meeting.  P>ut 
when  I  came  to  the  place,  I  found  that  the  people 
were  not  notified.     I  therefore  spent  the  time  in  vis- 


LIFE  OF    JOHN    COLBY.  167 

iting  several  families,  where  I  enjoyed  some  refresh- 
in?  seasons. 

The  next  day  I  went  to  Burrilville  ;  and,  by  taking 
cross  ways  and  shunning  turnpikes,  I  made  my  money 
last  me  through.  I  found  the  brethren  and  friends 
collected  for  worship,  at  Mr  Barns.'  They  were  glad 
to  see  me  again,  bnt  not  gladder  than  I  was  to  see 
them.  I  tiiought  myself  happy,  that  I  could  once 
more  join  in  worship,  with  my  brethren  in  Burrilville, 
where  I  could  breathe  in  free  air.  This  also  was  a 
time  of  rejoicing  to  many  souls.  The  next  evening, 
I  attended  meeting  at  a  school-house  in  the  north  part 
of  the  town,  where  I  had  the  privilege  of  speaking  to 
a  very  crowded  assembly. 

The  next  day,  which  was  Thursday,  I  spent  in 
reading,  writing,  visiting,  &,c. 

Friday,  Jat^.  1st,  18 13,  I  spent  in  prayer  and 
thanksgiving  to  God.  I  visited  several  families,  and 
heard  several  young  converts  relate  their  experience. 
This  was  a  solemn  day  to  my  soul.  I  praised  God, 
for  the  innumerable  favours  and  kindnesses  shewn 
me  the  year  jiast,  and  prayed  that  1  might  have  more 
grace  and  wisdom,  and  serve  him  better  for  time  to 
come.  The  same  evening,  1  attended  meeting  at 
Augusty  Steers.' 

Saturday,  I  preached  at  Jeremiah  IMorry's.  Sev- 
eral spake  in  the  meeting  for  the  first  time.  Some 
spake  of  their  joys  but  others  of  their  distress,  and 
manifested  their  resolutions  to  seek  and  serve  the 
Lord. 

Sabbath  day,  Jan.  3d,  I  preached  at  a  school-house, 
to  an  uncommonly  crowded  assembly.  Many  could 
not  get  in,  nor  even  get  to  the  windows  so  as  to  hear; 
and  on  that  account  went  away.  Many  of  the  con- 
verts spnko  boldly  of  the  goodness  of  (iod  and  most 
emphatically  warned  their  relatives  and  companions, 
to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  lay  hold  on  eter- 
nal life.    The  same  evening,   we  met  at  Esq  Steer's. 


108  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT. 

The  house  was  filled  with  people,  and  the  Jicarts  of  the 
sahits,  with  love  to  (lod  and  man.  All  around,  seem- 
ed lo  unite  in  giving;  i:lory  to  (jod  and  the  Lamb. — 
After  I  preached  a  shoit  sermnn,  thirty-three  persons 
spake  in  testimony  ofCiod,  before  tiie  meeting  closed. 
Monday  evening,  we  met  at  Capt.  Henry  Uhodes'. 
In  this  meeting,  four  young  men  told  their  experience, 
to  the  great  satisfaction  of  all  the  people,  and  desired 
to  be  baptised.  We  accordingly  met  the  next  day, 
at  J)uty  Salisbury's,  for  that  purpose.  At  1 2  o'clock, 
we  repaired  to  the  water,  and  baptised  ihem  ;  after 
which,  we  returned  to  the  house,  and  had  a  precious 
season  in  worship.  I  spake  from  Acts.  x.  34,  35, 
with  more  than  common  freedom  of  mind. 

The  next  day,  1  preached  at  Geoi'ge  lirown's,  and 
thought  I  saw  some  signs  of  a  reformation  in  that 
neighbourhood. 

The  next  day,  which  was  Thursday,  I  preached 
at  Dexter  Ricliardson's,  in  the  edge  of  Uxbridge, 
where  the  young  people  met  for  their  thanksgiving 
ball.  I  think  it  likely  it  was  the  first  meeting  of  wor- 
ships  that  was  ever  held  at  this  house.  The  landlord 
and  his  wife  treated  me  kindly,  and  aj^peared  very 
solemn  ;  and  I  think  it  likely,  that  the  meeting  was 
attended  with  some  good.  In  the  evening,  I  attended 
a  meeting  at  a  school-house,  in  Burrilville.  Before 
I  got  to  theh:)tise,  i  was  ii.form.-d  that  a  number  of 
the  baser  sort,  had  collected  in  order  to  mob  me,  or 
drive  me  from  he  rif^ighbonrl  o^A  I  however  went 
on  ;  and  when  I  came  to  the  place.  I  found  a  large 
company  collected.  They  informed  me,  that  the 
same  old  man,  who  fired  the  gun  at  the  door,  while  I 
was  singing  the  hymn  at  his  house,  had  been  there 
about  the  time  the  people  began  to  collect,  and  lock- 
ed the  door,  and  forbade  any  one  to  enter  the  house. 
He  carried  off  the  key,  but  some  «)f  the  pioprietors 
entered  the  window,  opened  the  door  and  let  in  the 
people  ;  and  I  found  the  house  crowded,     iiut  there 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBIT.  1G9 

seemed  to  be  some  confusion.  I  went  in  and  began 
exercise;  the  multitude  seemed  to  be  calmed.  Those 
who  were  opposers  went  off;  and  others  heard  with 
candour.  1  felt  a  good  degree  of  liberty  and  solem- 
nity while  speaking.  I  told  them  I  had  often  been  in 
places  where  I  had  been  highly  threatened  by  the 
wicked;  but  had  reason  to  thank  God,  that  as  yet  they 
bad  never  had  power  to  lay  their  hands  on  me;  and 
that  I  felt  confident  that  God  who  sent  me  to  preach 
Christ's  gospel,  was  a  wall  of  fire  round  about  me. — 
After  worship  closed,  the  young  converts  and  mourn- 
ing sinners  who  had  heard  of  the  intended  opposition, 
gathered  up  round  me  like  bees  round  a  hive,  and 
seemed  to  be  filled  with  gladness,  to  see  that  the  dev- 
il VTas  disappointed,  and  his  emissaries  put  to  shame. 
God  have  mercy  on  that  neighborhood. 

The  day  following  I  preached  at  Solomon  Smith'-s* 
in  the  souiheast  part  of  the  town;  a  number  appeared 
to  be  much  impressed  with  a  sense  of  their  sins;  and 
I  trust  that  there  was  some  good  seed  sown  at  that 
meeting. 

Saturday,  at  11  o'clock,  I  attended  a  meeting  with 
the  Quakers,  at  their  meeting  house,  (a  couple  of 
travellihg  friends,  as  they  call  them,  from  N.  H.  be- 
ing present,)  but  they  gave  me  no  liberty  nor  time  to 
speak  in  their  meeting.  Notwithstanding  this.,  one  of 
them  came  into  a  meeting  where  I  preaclied,  the  sum- 
mer beA)re,  in  the  town  of  Pittsfield,  N.  H.  and  took 
liberty  to  speak,  and  used  and  manifested  a  great  deal 
of  fieedom;  and  I  was  heartily  glad  to  see  him.  But 
whether  his  memory  now  failed  him,  or  his  discipline 
tied  him,  I  cannot  tell. 

The  same  evening  I  attended  a  meeting  at  Father 
Gleason's,  an  aged  man;  and  he  and  Father  Ballard 
related  their  experience,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
church,  and  desired  to  be  baptised  the  next  day. — 

*X  real  friend  of  mme. 

13 


170  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

Accordingly,  on  the  Sabbath,  Jan.  10th,  a  large  con- 
CJuise  of  people  collected  at  the  water  at  11  o'clock 
A.  M.  and  the  two  dear  old  fathers  went  forward  in 
baptism.  We  then  repaired  to  Esq.  Wood's  hall, 
where  we  had  a  crowded,  attentive,  solemn,  weeping, 
refreshing,  heavenly  meeting.  In  the  evening,  we 
met  at  Steer's,  and  a  number  found  great  satisfaction 
in  their  minds. 

Tuesday  evening,  we  met  at  brollier  ^Salisbury's. — 
A  'arge  number  attended  and  it  was  truly  a  gl(;rious 
time.  Two  or  three  came  out  and  spake  for  the  first 
lime.  A  number  more  were  struck  under  powerful 
conviction,  who  had  before  that  time  remained  care- 
less. Brother  SaHsbury  and  his  wife  related  their  ex- 
perience and  desired  to  be  baptised.  They  were  re- 
ceived. 

Wednesday,  I  preached  at  the  house  of  Daniel 
Smith,  Esq.  This,  I  suppose,  was  the  first  meeting 
that  was  ever  holden  at  his  house.  The  news  spread 
that  I  was  going  to  preach  there.  The  people,  es- 
pecially those  of  the  first  rank,  flocked  to  see  what 
"was  to  be  done  at  Esq.  Smith's!  I  enjoyed  good  free- 
dom in  speaking,  and  believe  the  meeting  was  very 
mofitable.  In  the  evening  I  returned  to  Augusta 
Steer's,  where  the  brethren  were  collected  for  confer- 
ence. We  had  a  refreshing  season  in  supplication 
and  prayer:  Union,  harmony,  and  happiness,  seemed 
to  fill  every  soul. 

Thursdiiy,  I  preached  at  the  northeast  part  of  the 
town,  and  had  a  good  lime.  In  the  evening  1  attend- 
ed meeting  at  Mr  Thayer's,  and  the  next  day  at  Mr 
Benson's,  in  Douglass. 

Saturday  evening,  I  attended  a  conference  at  broth- 
er Gleason's-  Two  young  men  appeared  to  be  under 
deep  conviction,  and  made  mention  of  their  determin- 
ation to  seek  the  Lord. 

Sabbath  day,  Jan.  17th,  I  preached  at  a  school 
house.     Eul  on  account  of  the  lato  snow  storm,  there 


LIFE    OF   JOHN  COLBT.  171 

was  but  a  small  assembly.  The  blessing  of  God, 
however,  attended  our  meeting,  and  several  of  the  lit- 
tle assembly  appeared  to  be  under  divine  impressions. 
Capt.  Rhodes  was  one  of  this  number.  He  arose  in 
the  meeting,  and  most  solemnly  declared,  that  he  was 
determined  to  forsake  sin,  and  cleave  to  the  Lord. — 
He  spoke  much  to  the  purpose,  and  to  the  astonish- 
ment of  many  who  heard  him. 

Tuesday,  Jan.  19th,  I  preached  at  brother  Salis- 
bury's, and  baptized  him  and  his  wife.  This  was  a  sol- 
emn and  joyful  scene.  There  was  a  path  shovelled 
through  the  snow  to  the  water,  wide  enough  for  the 
people  to  walk  two  and  two;  and  a  hole  cut  through 
the  ice,  for  their  burial  with  Christ  in  baptism.  The 
multitude  followed  the  candidates  in  procession  to  and 
from  the  water,  singing  the  following  words: 

Am  I  soldier  of  the  cross  ? 

There's  glory,  glory  in  my  soul, 

It  came  from  heaven  above; 

Which  makes  me  praise  my  Lord,  so  bold, 

And  his  dear  children  love. 

It  was  a  melting  season  through  the  day;  and  in  the 
evening  we  had  a  refreshing  season  in  prayer.  The 
next  night  I  preached  at  Burlingame's;  and  spent  al- 
most the  whole  night  in  preachino;,  praying,  and  in  re- 
ligious conversation  with  the  family,  several  of  whom 
were  already  professors.  About  two  o'clock,  A.  M. 
the  old  gendeman  came  in,  and  said  to  me,  "  can  you 
pray  for  an  old  backslider?"  I  told  him  I  could,  and 
kneeled  down  and  began  to  pray.  His  children  im- 
mediately began  to  pray  for  their  father.  Two,  how- 
ever, who  had  not  professed  religion,  (a  daughter  and 
a  daughter-in-law,)  both  cried  lor  mercy  for  them- 
selves, till  they  obtained  it,  and  then  spent  the  rest  of 
the  night  in  praising  God,  for  what  he  had  done  for 
their  souls. 

The  next   day,  I  went  on  to   Mendon,    Massachu- 


tl2  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

setts,  to  what  tliey  calleci  the  Great  Kivcr,  and  preach- 
ed to  a  very  large  and  solemn  assembly,  in  a  scliocj]- 
housc;  and  had  reason  to  hope,  from  what  I  could 
discover,  that  a  number  were  struck  under  conviction. 
In  the  evening  of  same  day,  I  preached  in  the  town 
of  Uxbridge,  at  Mr  Cook's,  where  there  was  a  large 
assembly,  mostly  young  people.  But  they  acted  as 
if  they  were  brought  up  in  the  woods,  and  never  at- 
tended meeting  before.  I  had  hard  work  to  keep 
them  still  in  some  of  the  rooms,  till  I  had  donespeak- 
JBg;  and  as  soon  as  I  had  dismissed  the  meeting,  it 
seemed  more  like  a  bedlam,  than  a  house  of  worship. 
1  am  sorry  to  say,  that  a  laige  number  of  these  young 
people, were  Quakers;  having  been  strenuoui^ly  taught, 
as  1  fear,  that  there  is  no  denomination  so  right  as  their 
own:  and  consequently,  they  look  down  upon  all  oth- 
ers; and  thus  took  liberty  in  this  meeting,  to  disturb 
and  oppose,  and  speak  against  the  work,  &.c.  How- 
ever, 1  do  not  mention  this  out  ot  any  hardness  to 
them,  or  their  denomination;  but  as  a  caution.  For  I 
do  not  suppose,  that  the  parents  of  any  civil  or  relig- 
ious denomination,  would  knowingly  allow,  or  justify 
their  children,  in  disturbing  others  in  their  public  wor- 
ship. 

The  next  day,  I  visited  a  number  of  families,  in  the 
east  part  of  Burrilville,  and  in  the  evening,  preached 
at  Esq.  Arnold's,  in  the  north  part  of  tlie  town.  Next 
morning,  I  called  at  a  house  in  the  same  neighborhood; 
and  found  a  man  and  his  wife  under  conviction.  Al- 
ter conversing  a  while,  I  kneeled  down  and  prayed; 
and  when  I  ended,  they  both  prayed  very  fervently. 
The  woman  appeared  to  find  a  good  degree  of  peace. 
Saturday  night,  I  attended  a  conference  at  Augusta 
Steer's,  and  heard  the  experience  of  three.  Two  of 
liiem  were  received  by  the  church;  and  on  the  next 
day,  which  was  the  Habbaih,  Jan.  24,  they  were  bap- 
tised.    The  meeting  was  bolden  that  day  at   Esquire 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  173 

Wood's  hall;  and  in  the  evening,  at  Captain  William 
Rhodes'. 

Monday,  I  spent  in  writing,   reading,  visiting,    &c. 

Tuesday  I  went  to  Providence,  and  attended  a  meet- 
ing in  the  evening;  and  on  Wednesday,  returned  to 
Burrilvilie. 

Thursday  I  went  to  Uxbridge,  and  preached  at  Mr 
Keiths,  in  the  south  east  part  of  the  town.  Many  of 
the  people  looked  at  me  very  earnestly,  and  some  of 
them  wept,  while  they  heard  of  the  sufferings  of 
Christ,  and  of  the  way  of  life  and  salvation.  After 
meeting,  I  returned  to  Burrilvilie;  and  in  the  evening, 
attended  meeting  at  Jeremiah  Morry's.  len  persons 
in  the  meeting  told  their  experience,  at  the  close  of 
which  I  kneeled  down  and  prayed:  and  a  number  of 
young  people,,  who  had  attended  the  afternoon  meet- 
ing, and  had  followed  me  from  Uxbridge,  also  kneeled 
down,  and  cried  for  mercy. 

Friday  and  Saturday,  I  was  quite  unwell.  I  was 
much  exercised  with  pain.  I  was  also  much  dejected 
in  mind;  the  cause  of  which  I  was  not  able  to  tell, 
unless  the  reformation  was  about  stopping.  F-.aring 
that  was  the  case,  I  prayed  and  said,  "  O  Led,  lay 
to  thy  helping  hand,  and  cause  the  kingdom  of  dark- 
ness to  tremble,  and  the  powers  of  hell  to  give  way. 
Ride  forth  with  thy  bow  and  thy  crovvu;  from  con- 
quering and  to  conquer,  till  Anti-christ's  kingdom  shall 
be  laid  in  utter  ruin;  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ,  be 
established  throughout  all  nations  and  denominations, 
and  stand  forever  and  ever." 

Sabbatli,  Jan.  31st,  I  preached  in  a  schoolhouse, 
in  what  is  called  the  city  ;  and  found  that  my  prayer 
was  in  some  measure  answered.  The  relormaMon 
had  not  stopped  ;  but  there  was  great  signs  of  its 
spreading.  We  had  a  good  season  through  the  day,  ' 
and  also  in  the  evening,  at  Esq.  Steer's. 

Monday,  Feb.  1st,  1  visited   several   families,    and 
found  a  number  earnestly  seeking  the  Lord.     In  the 
15* 


174  LIFE  OF  John  coLBi. 

evening,  I  returned  to  Capt.  Henry  Rhodes',  found  a 
number  collected  ;  and  among  the  rest,  a  numoer  of 
their  relatives  from  Scitiiate  ;  who,  when  they  heard 
the  caprain  and  his  wife  pray,  two  of  them  fell  hefore 
the  Lord,  and  cried  to  him  to  have  mercy  on  their 
souls. 

The  next  day,  I  preached  in  a  schonlhouse  in  the 
north  part  of  Gloucester  ;  a  goodly  number  attended, 
and  paid  great  attention  to  the  word.  After  meeting 
I  returned  to  Ourrilvillc,  and  stayed  that  night  at  fath- 
er Ballard's.  Three  young  men,  who  had  heard  me 
in  the  afternoon,  at  Gloucester,  followed  me  over,  and 
appeared  to  be  truly  sensible  of  their  lost  condition. 
After  conversing  with  them  awhile,  1  prayed  with  them, 
and  two  of  them  prayed  for  themselves.  The  next 
day,  I  visited  several  families^  and  found  one  soul  re- 
joicing in  the  Lord,  with  whom  I  had  no  acquaintance 
before.  In  the  evening,  I  attended  meeting  at  brother 
Salisbury's.  Two  young  men  spake  in  the  meeting, 
for  the  first  time  ;  and  several  others  kneeled  down 
and  prayed,  who  had  never  attempted  such  a  thing 
before. 

Thursday,  I  visited  every  house  on  the  road  for 
three  miles  ;  and  in  the  evening,  attended  a  meeting 
in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  and  had  a  good  time. 

Friday,  I  continued  my  visits,  till  I  had  gone  thro' 
the  town,  and  had  gotten  into  the  state  of  Massachu- 
setts. I  called  at  a  man's  house,  who  had  heard  me 
a  few  weeks  before,  and  was  struck  under  conviction. 
He  and  his  wife,  and  eldest  daughter,  all  appeared  to 
be  under  concern  for  themselves.  I  talked  with,  and 
prayed  for  them,  and  the  man  prayed  for  himself.  He 
was  forty-four  years  old,  and  said  he  had  never  prayed 
publicly  before.  His  prayer  took  a  solemn  effect  on 
his  family,  and  I  hope  it  will  be  lasting. 

Saturday  I  returned  to  Burrilville,  visited  several 
families,  in  which  I  found  much  consolation.  In  the 
evening,  I  attended  a  conference,   and  heard  three 


LIFE  OF   JOHN   COLBY.  175 

relate  what  the  Lord  ha.d  done  for  their  souls,  to  the 
great  satisfaction  of  all  the  brethren  present-  A  num- 
ber of  others  manifested  a  good  resolution  to  seek  the 
Lord.  Those  brethren  who  had  been  before  bap- 
tized, were  much  engaged,  spake  of  their  joys,  and 
invited  all  to  come  to  Christ. 

The  next  morning,  I  went  to  Capt.  Rhodes',  where  ., 
I  received    three   letters  from   my    friends ;  one    of , 
which  gave  information  of  the  health  of  my  mother. — 
It  was  matter  of  joy  to  me;  to  hear  that  she  was  in  a 
better  state  of  health  than  when  I  left  home. 

Feb.  7th,  it  being  Sabbath,  I  repaired  to  the  water, 
where  I  found  a  large  concourse  of  people  assembled. 
I  descended  into  the  water,  and  baptized  three.  This 
was  a  solemn  time.  We  then  went  to  Esq.  Woods', 
in  order  to  meet  in  his  hall  ;  but  the  congregation  was 
so  large,  that 'they  could  not  assemble  in  the  hall,  but 
filled  all  the  rooms,  and  stood  belore  the  door,  and  in 
the  sleighs,  shed,  black-smith's  shop,  &,c.  It  was  . 
supposed  there  were  about  600  people.  I  therefore  " 
shoved  up  a  window,  in  the  middle  of  the  house,  and 
stood  by  that,  and  spake  to  the  people,  who  heard  me 
with  candour,  and  were  much  affected  by  the  word. 
After  meeting,  I  went  to  the  south-east  part  of  Glou- 
cester, and  preached  to  about  200  people.  This  was 
in  a  neighbourhood,  where  brother  Bowls  had  been 
preaching,  a  few  weeks  before  ;  and  a  number  of 
souls  had  been  brought  to  the  enjoyment  of  religion, 
through  his  instrumentality.  I  found  that  there  was  a 
great  appearance  of  a  glorious  revival  in  tliat  part  of 
the  town.  I  stayed  that  night  at  Judge  Steer's  ;  and 
the  next  morning  returned  to  Burrilville,  where  I 
preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  a  woman,  about  ninety 
three  or  four  years  old.  Many  people  collected  on 
the  occasion,  and  the  scene  was  solemn. 

Tuesday,  Feb.  9ih,  I  went  to  Providence  ;  and 
being  previously  sent  for,  I  called  to  see  a  sick  man, 
on  the  road  ;  found  him   near  the  grave.     He  had 


176  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

also  bpen  near  to  despair ;  but  now  seemed  measura- 
bly composed.  In  the  evening,,  I  attended  meeiing 
in  Providence,  and  had  a  comfortable  time. 

Wednesday  morning,  when  I  arose,  I  was  much  ex- 
ercised with  pain  m  my  side,  stomach  and  lungs,  and 
felt  much  distressed  for  several  hours.  But  when  I 
recollected  my  appointment  atGhiucester,  I  mustered 
up  what  resolution  I  could  and  sat  off.  I  arrived  at 
the  place  a  few  minutes  past  one  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon. I  was  so  much  exhausted,  that  I  was  scarcely 
able  to  sit  up.  But  seeing  the  multitude,  I  arose  and 
stood  upon  my  feet;  and  as  soon  as  I  had  opened 
my  mouth,  I  felt  my  strength  measurably  renewed. 
The  Spirit  helped  my  infirmities,  and  I  was  enabled 
to  speak  near  an  hour  and  an  half.  The  people  paid 
good  attention,  and  many  of  them  sat  in  tears  through 
the  meeting.  Meeting  being  ended,  I  got  into  my 
sleigh,  and  rode  to  Burrilville.  The  next  day,  the 
church  met  for  business  ;  and  after  much  conversation 
on  various  subjects,  respecting  the  edifying  of  the 
body  of  Christ,  found  an  unanimous  agreement  among 
the  brethren,  and  love  and  harmony  prevailing  and 
increasing  ;  and  that  the  Loi  J  was  daily  adding  to  the 
church.  We  then  chose  Andrew  Ballard,  and  Duty 
Salisbury,  to  the  office  of  deacons  ;  and  finding  it  to 
be  a  very  profitable  time,  we  gave  thanks  to  God, 
prayed  and  parted. 

Friday,  Feb.  12,  I  still  remained  very  unwell,  and 
scarcely  able  to  sit  up.  But  having  a  good  many  ap- 
pointments, [  was  obliged  to  keep  going.  I  went  that 
day  to  the  east  part  of  the  town,  and  attended  a  meet- 
ini:  at  Jeremiah  Aloory's,  which  I  had  previously  ap- 
pointed for  fasting  and  prayer.  A  considerable  num- 
ber attended,  and  the  people  of  God  were  solemnly 
engaged  ;  sinners  were  awakened  to  see  their  lost 
condition  ;  and  much  concern  apj)eared  on  the  minds 
of  a  number. 

Saturday,  I  was  called  to  attend   the  funeral  of  an 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBY.  177 

aged  woman,  by  the  name  of  King  ;  I  was  not  able  to 
speak  much,  but  it  was  a  very  solemn  time.  The  old 
gentleman,  her  husband,  experienced  religion  in  the 
days  ol  his  youth  ;  but  said  he  had  lived  in  a  back- 
slidden state, /or^y  years!  but  within  a  few  days,  the 
Lord  had  revived  his  work,  in  his  soul. 

In  the  evening,  we  met  at  Augusty  Steer's,  for  con- 
ference ;  and  had  a  blessed  meeting.  A  young  mar- 
ried couple;  related  their  experience,  to  great  satis- 
faction. 

Sabbath,  Feb.  15,1  was  no  belter  in  health,  but 
rather  grew  worse.  My  head  was  much  out  of  order, 
and  my  lungs,  as  was  supposed,  much  affected  ;  my 
spirits  much  sunk  ;  and  in  short,  my  whole  body 
seemed  to  be  a  seat  of  disease.  In  this  situation,  I 
said,  O  how  9aii  I  perform  what  lays  before  me  to 
day  ?  What  arm  can  support  me,  but  that  of  Jeho- 
vah, and  enable  me  to  perform  the  duties  of  this  day  } 
O  Lord,  support  this  feeble  frame,  strengthen  me  to 
do  thy  will,  and  my  duty,  as  a  faithful  servant  of  Jesus 
Christ.  I  then  repaired  to  the  water,  where  a  multi- 
tude were  collected  ;  and  after  baptising  two,  we 
went  to  Esq.  Wood's,  and  attended  to  worship. — 
There  were  many  present,  and  the  countenances  and 
tears  of  sinners,  bespoke  the  sorrows  of  their  hearts, 
and  their  desire  for  true  religion.  The  Lord  enabled 
me  to  preach  a  sermon,  and  a  number  of  weighty 
exhortations  were  delivered  by  others.  After  which, 
we  attended  to  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper  ; 
in  the  partaking  of  which,  the  brethren  appeared  to 
be  much  refreshed.  In  the  evening,  a  number  met  at 
Esq.  Steer's  ;  but  I  was  not  able  to  sit  up.  I  had  a 
very  resilesss  night,  and  the  next  day  I  grew  worse, 
and  was  obliged  to  keep  my  room,  being  much  exer- 
cised with  pain. 

Monday  evening,  I  still  felt  my  outward  man  de- 
caying ;  but,  blessed  be  God,  that  through  his  abound- 
ing grace,  I  felf  the  inward  ma»  renewed,  and  grow- 


178  LIFE  OP  JOHN  COLBY. 

ing  stronger.     I  beheld,  through  the  glass  ot  liailh,  the 
celestial  city,  and  said, 

By  faith  I  see  the  land. 

The  port  of  endless  bliss ; 

My  soul,  thy  sails  expand, 

And  fly  to  Jesus'  breast : 

O  I  may  I  reach  the  heavenly  shore. 

Where  winds  and  waves,  distress  no  more. 

Tuesday,  Feb.  16th,  I  still  remained  unwell  and 
full  of  pain  :  but  I  had  an  appointment  at  Richard 
Burlingliam's,  in  Gloucester,  and  a  man  had  come  to 
carry  me  on.  I  thought  I  would  lean  on  Him  who 
alone  was  strength,  to  support  and  enal)le  me  to  fulfil 
my  appointment.  When  I  arrived  at  the  place,  I 
found  many  people  gathered,  and  Br  Bowls  was 
speaking  to  them.  When  he  ended,  I  arose  and 
spake  about  one  hour,  with  more  than  usual  freedom, 
and  felt  a  good  degree  of  bodily  strength,  till  I  had 
done  speaking.  The  Spirit  still  helped  my  iiifirmties, 
in  time  of  exercise  ;  but  as  soon  as  the  exercise  was 
over,  I  was  obliged  to  take  my  bed,  Ihe  next  mor- 
ning, after  praying  with  the  fan)ily,  I  left  them  in 
tears,  with  a  strong  belief  that  the  Lord  would  revive 
his  work  in  the  place,  and  went  to  the  northeast  part 
of  Gloucester,  where  I  attended  a  meeting  at  a  school- 
house,  with  Br.  Bowls.  1  baptized  two  (a  middle 
aged  man  and  his  wife)  and  then  returned  to  the 
school-house  :  but  was  so  unwell,  that  I  was  not  able 
to  speak,  only  a  few  minutes.  However,  what  little 
was  said,  seemed  to  be  blessed,  and  directed  by  the 
Master  of  assemblies,  to  the  hearts  of  sinners.  As  I 
was  about  to  leave  the  house,  a  number  cried  out  for 
mercy.  One  young  man,  who  had  been  much  oppo- 
sed to  religion,  was  struck  with  such  a  sense  of  his 
state,  that  he  cried  mightily,  and  said  he  felt  the  pains 
of  hell,  and  its  flames  flashing  over  him  ;  and  that  in 
a  few  moments,  he   expected  to  plunge  into  that  dis- 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  179 

mal  giilpli,  never  to  rise  ap;ain.  This  alarmed  his 
sinful  companions  in  every  part  of  the  house.  Many 
ol"  them  prayed  and  wept,  and  mourned,  and  went 
away  crying.  Others  stayed  and  mourned  in  the 
house,  till  some  time  in  the  evening.  I  was  so  much 
exhausted,  I  was  obliged  to  retire. 

Thursday,  Feb.  iStl),  I  attended  meeting  at  father 
Gleason's.  Soon  afier  meeting  began,  Esq.  Green, 
from  Gloucester,  came  to  me,  and  requested  me  to  go 
to  his  neighbourhood,  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon  the 
next  day.  I  made  some  excuses  on  account  of  my 
ill  health  ;  but  he  sa'd  the  family  depended  on  my 
preaching  a -sermon,  and  that  lie  had  engaged  to  see 
ine  there.  Finding  him  so  urgent.  1  agreed  to  go. — 
He  then  left  me,  and  went  his  way. 

Accordingly,  Friday,  Feb.  19ih,  1  went  to  attend 
the  funeral  ;  and  when  I  came  to  the  house  of  mour- 
niug,  I  found  a  very  large  concourse  of  people,  in  and 
about  it.  It  is  likely  that  curiosity  led  many  to  at- 
tend, as  the  man  who  was  to  be  buried,  was  what  is 
called  a  Freemason,  and  previous  to  his  death,  had 
requested  to  be  buried  in  the  masonic  form.  This 
put  me  upon  some  trial,  as  it  was  soniething  new  to 
me  ;  lor  I  had  never  before  attended  a  funeral  con- 
ducted in  that  order.  The  people  assembled  in  the 
first,  second,  and  third  stories.  The  corpse  was  in 
the  second,  in  tlie  front  of  the  ^house,  near  where  I 
stood  I  lifted  up  a  window,  ttat  the  peo|)le  out  of 
doors  might  hear.  Wlien  I  had  named  my  text,  I 
proposed  nine  things,  as  topics  of  discussion,  in  refer- 
ence, as  I  told  them,  to  the  nine  steps  in  masonry. — 
1  enjoyed  good  freedom  in  attending  to  those  propo- 
sitions, many  in  the  assembly  were  solemnly  afl'ected, 
and  shed  many  tears,  wliile  they  heard  the  word. — 
And  notwithstanding  I  was  in  such  a  low  state  of 
health,  the  Lord  enabled  me  to  speak  over  an  hour. 
When  I  had  closed  the  sermon,  I  first  addressed  the 
mourning   widow,  then  the    fatherless,    weej)ing  chil- 


180  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBT. 

dren  ;  then  the  other  near  kindred,   each  in  their  or- 
der.    And  lastly,  the  Freemasons.     I  told  them,  as  I 
was  noi  a  Mason  myself,    it   could   not  be  expected 
that  I  was  a  suitable  person  in   every  respect,  to  ad- 
dress them  on  the  solemn  occasion.     Neveriheles,  as 
1  felt  a  message  from  the  Lord,  I  should  trust  in  him 
to  direct  my  mind  ;  believing  that   he  would  enable 
me  to  jiive  them  their  portion  in  due  season.     1  then 
spake  to  them,  something  in  the  following;  manner  : — 
notwithstanding  your  high   claim    to    a  secret,  which, 
for  ages,  hss  been  kept,  or  withheld  from  the  world  ; 
wliich  you  say,  was  first  communicated  by  (lod  him- 
self, to  Enoch,  in  a  vision,  in  which  hei)eheld  a  tri- 
angular plate  of  gold,   most    brilliantly   enlightened, 
upon  which  were  some  characters,  which  he  received 
a  strict  injunction  never  to  pronounce  :  and  in  com- 
memoration of  which  wonderful  vision,   they  say  he 
built  a  temple  under  ground,  and  dedicated  it  to  the 
Lord  ; — that  he  also  built  in  it  nine  arches,,  one  below 
another  ;  and  in  the  ninth,  or  lowermost  arch,  fixed  a 
triangular  plate  of  gold,  in    imitation  of  that  shown  to 
him  in  the  vision,  and    upon   wliich  he  engraved  the 
same  inefilible  characters,  which  God  had  shown  him; 
that  lie  did  this,  to  preserve   those   sacred  characters, 
from  the  universal    destruction    then    impendmg,    the 
flood  ;  and  that  the  Lord,    when    he  spake  to  Moses 
on  the  mount  gave  him  the  true  prouuncialio.n  of  his 
sacred  name,  which  he  told  him  should  be  found,  by 
some  of  his  descendants,  engraven  on  a  plate  of  gold, 
alluding  to  ilie  one  that   Enoch   had  connected  in  the 
ninth  arch  of  his  temple  :  and  that  accordingly,  when 
Solomon,  the  wisest  of  Princes,  built  the   temple  in 
Jerusalem,  it  so  happened,   that   tl)e  stoiie,  which  lay 
over  the  mouth  of  the  up|>ermost  arch,  was  removed, 
and  that  three  of  Solomon's  grand   master  architects, 
descended,  and  made  a  discovery  of  the  plate  of  gold; 
and  immediately  conveyed  the  sacred  treasure  to  King 
♦Solomon  and  the  King  of  Tyre,  who  was   then  with 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBr.  181 

thoin  they  being  llie  only   two  on   earth,   who  under- 
siootl  the  sacred  characters,   and  could  pronounce  the 
SACRKD  NAME  :  that  thiis   they   coinniunicated  those 
sacied  characters,   of  their   knowledge   ol"  his  name, 
to  each  other,  and  that  so  it   has   been  handed  down 
from  generation  to    generation,    to    the   piesent  day  ; 
and  that  this  is  the  secret,  which  you  say,  is  preserved 
in  tlie  he.irts  of  sincere   Masons — O,   my   respected 
friends  !  if  these   things  are  so,   and   Masonry,   in  its 
origin,  was  so  sacred,   and  its   professors  the  wisest 
and  best  of  men  ;  I  would   to  God,  that  professors  of 
jyjasonry,  in  these  modern   days,    were  more  engaged 
to   imiiaie  the   pious   examples   of   their  ancestors  : 
that  like  Enoch,  you  might   ''  walk   with  God  ";  and 
like  Moses  "choose   rather   to    suffer  affliction  with 
his  people,  than  to  enjoy   the   pleasures  oi   sin   for  a 
season  ;"  and  like   Solomon,     choose   that    wisdom 
which  is  h'om  above ;  which  is   first   peaceable,  then 
pure,  gentle,  and  easy    to  be  entreated,   full  of  mercy 
and  good  fruits,  without  partiality,  and  without  hypoc- 
risy.    May  I  not  be   permuted  to  ask  you,  v\hat  ad- 
vantage you   expect  to   derive,    from   your    superior 
knowledge  in  these  theoretical  matters,  in  the  solemn 
hour  of  death,  and  at  the  great   day   of  assize  ? — Let 
me  remind  you,  that  you  will  stand  in  lieed  of  some- 
thing more  substantial,    permanent   and   lasting,   Yea, 
you  will  stand  in  need  ol  a  more  extensive  knowledge 
of  eternal  things,   than    that    which  you  can  gain  of 
creatures.      Having  this  information,   you  might  then 
say,  as  Paul  did   on   another    occasion,    (ihough   not 
exactly  using  his   words)    "  the   knowledge   which  I 
have  received,  1  received  it  n(.t  of  man  ;  neither  was 
1  tauglit  it  by  man,    but  by  the  revelaiion  of  Jesus 
Christ."     U  Kn  it  be  remembered,  that  the  sacred 
volume  informs  us,   that  at  his   blessed  na.me,  every 
knee  shall  bow,  and  every   tongue  confess,    &.c.     U 
the  excellency  of  the  knowlelge  of  Cluist.     liow  liar 
doih  he  excel  Enoch.,  in  glory — Moses,  in  meekness  ; 
16 


132  LirE  or  john  colbit. 

— and  Solomon,  in  wisdom  ?  For  in  him,  are  hid  all 
the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge.  "  J'or  it 
jkatli  pleased  the  Father,  that  in  him  should  all  fulness 
dwell."  And  he  invites  you  lo  learn  of  him,  who  is 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  and  promises  that  you  shall 
ind  rest  to  your  souls.  If  you  are  ever  so  liappy  as 
to  have  a  real  view  of  Christ,  you  will  not  wonder 
that  the  ancient  spouse  said,  He  is  the  chujtst  among 
ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely.  Let  me  also  re- 
B)ind  you  of  what  he  hath  said  by  his  servant  John, 
Rev.  ii.  17  :  To  him  that  overcomelh,  will  I  give  to 
tat  oj  the  hidden  manna^  and  icill  give  him  a  white 
tione,  and  in  the  stone  a  new  name  written,  which  no 
9ian  knoweth,  .saving  he  that  receivetn  it. — Here  is  an 
heavenly  secret,  which  has  been  hid  from  the  wise  and 
prudent,  in  all  asies  of  the  world,  and  revealed  to  the 
babes  of  the  kingdom  of  God  ;  and  none  know  it, 
saving  them  that  receive  it.  For  the  world  by  its 
wisdom,  has  never  found  out  God. 

Again,  when  I  turn  my   eyes    to   the    company  of 
saints  1  behold  a  blessed  mark  fixed  on  them,  a  signal 
fcy  which  they    may    know    each  other.      IJim   that 
overcometh,  will  I  make  a  pillar   i/i  the  temple  of  my 
God,  and  he  shall  go  no   more   out  :  and  I  wdl  write 
upon  him  the  name  of  my    God,   and   the  name  of  the 
city  of  my  God,  which  is  JV'cio  Jerusalem,  which  com- 
tth  down  out  of  heaven  from   my    God  :  and    I  will 
write  upon  him  my  new   name.''''     Rev.  iii  \2.     This 
will  be  a   sufficient  mark,   to    distinguish   this  happy 
company   from    all  others. — As   1    was    closing     the 
address,  casting  my  eyes  on  the  coffin,  which  sat  be- 
fore me  on  a  table,  and  seeing  an  open  bible,  a  square 
and  compasses,  a  sword  and  a  hat,  all  lying  on  the  lid 
cf  the  coffin,  1  dropped  my   hand    on  the    bible,  and 
said,  "and  finally,  may  you  take  the  word  of  God,  for 
the  fuan  of  your  counsel,   and   [touching  the  square^^ 
tquare  your  lives  by  the  same  :  [touching  the  cowiyjosses] 
— then  you  will  be  enabled  rightly  to  divide  your  time  : 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  COLBr.  18S 

[touching  the  sword] — and  having  the  sword  of  the 
Spirtls  you  will  be  enabled  to  cut  your  way  ihrougk 
the  0|iposilion  of  this  vain  world  ;  [touching  [he  hat] 
— and  filially  arrive  in  glory,  where  you  will  wear  a 
crown,  that  will  Car  exceed  all  the  crowns  that  earthly 
ninoarchs  wear.  May  it  be  your  happy  portion,  lor 
the  Redeemer's  sake.  Amen."  Thus  the  meeting 
closed,  and  the  corpse  was  borne  by  Masons,  to  the 
grave.  After  they  had  let  down  the  coffin,  each  on« 
dropped  his  laur*il  on  the  head  of  it,  as  they  marched 
in  procession  round  the  grave.  Alter  they  had  pro- 
nounced their  usual  <*eremonies,  the  last  act  of  b<;nev- 
olence  was  bestowed  upon  the  dead  The  dust  vva« 
thrown  in  upon  the  coffin  ;  while  a  weeping  widow, 
and  a  number  of  mourning  children,  stood  around  ita 
tears,  to  see  a  once  beloved  companion,  and  indulgent 
parent,  committed  to  the  dust.  Thus  the  whole  scene 
closed.  This  is  the  house  appointed  for  all  the  living. 
Here  ends  all  the  greatness,  giandeur,  riches,  honors 
and  pleasures.,  of  the  world. 

Being  over  persuaded,  by  Esq.  Green,  who  lived 
in  the  same  neighbourhood,  I  appointed  to  [)reach  at 
his  house  the  next  Thursday  ;  1  then  returned  to  Bur- 
rilville,  and  put  up  with  Deacon  Salisbury.  I  felt 
much  fatigued  and  more  than  common  distress  oa 
my  stomach  and  lungs.  And  being  advised  by  a 
number  of  bretiiren,  i  applied  to  a  Physician,  wha 
gave  me  an  emetic,  which  reduced  my  strength  almo^ 
to  nothing.  I  had  a  very  restless  night,  and  the  next 
day,  was  confined  to  the  house.  I  got  but  little  rest 
throush  the  day  and  next  evening. 

Sabbath,  Feb.  21,  I  felt  an  heavenly  peace  in  my 
soul,  but  found  the  disorder  increasm*  on  my  body. 
Nevertheless,  the  breilyren  were  anxious  to  have  me 
attend  the  meeting,  and  I  gave  them  leave  to  carry 
me  to  it.  They  wrapped  me  up  in  two  or  thre« 
coverlet.s,  sat  me  in  a  sleigh,  and  carried  me  to  Esq[. 
Wood's.     I  had  to  take   the   bed   as   soon    as  I  got 


184  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLEV. 

there.  But  alter  lying  al)3iit  an  hour,  T  felt  a  little 
revived,  went  into  the  linll,  and  prrached  a  short 
sermon.  A  goodly  ntinilier  witnessed  for  the  l>nrd, 
and  it  was  a  good  and  solemn  time  After  meeting, 
I  retired  to  Msq.  Steer's,  where  the  evening  m«^eiing 
was  appointed,  but  wns  iinal)!e  to  sit  np.  1  t<d(l  the 
brethren,  that  they  must  either  give  me  up,  and  let 
me  retire  where  I  n)ight  rest  and  recover  my  liealih  a 
little,  or  else  they  must  soon  bury  me.  1  in^  converts 
carried  on  tiie  meeting  without  me,  that  evening,  and 
had  a  good  season. 

MondaN',  I  felt  no  better  in  health,  yet  enjoyed  a 
sweet-composure  of  mind. 

Tiresday,  Feb.  23d,  I  was  still  feeble  in  Ijody,  but 
siront!;  in  the  Lord.  And  having  a  general  con'crenoe 
appointed  that  day,  I  piayed  for  strength  (.f  iiorly, 
that  [  migiU  be  enabled  to  attend  it.  Accordini;ly, 
at  12  o'clock,  we  assembled  and  had  much  consola- 
t'lon.  Six  converts  told  their  experience,  and  desired 
to  be  ba|)tised.  After  meeting,  I  went  to  *  cacon 
Salisbury's.  In  the  evening,  the  brethren  and  fiicnds 
collected  at  the  same  house,  and  spent  about  the 
whole  evening  in  vocal  prayer.  I  counted  twenty- 
nine  persons,  who  offered  up  prayers  to  God  that 
evening,  in  the  course  of  the  meeting. 

Wednesday,  Feb.  24th,  I  seemed  scarcely  abl**  to 
sit  up.  My  lungs  were  so  affected,  and  n)y  stomach 
so  sore  with  coughing,  that  it  even  hurt  me  to  diaw 
my  breath.  I'ut,  viewing  the  fields  white,  and  ready 
to  harvest,  and  the  Macedonian  cries,  in  those  regions, 
so  many,  I  concluded  to  go  ps  long  as  life  remained. 
I  started  in  the  forepart  of  the  day,  and  went  on  to 
Richard  Burlingham's,  in  (iloucester,  where  1  had  a 
meeting  appointed  at  one  o'clock,  P.  M.  I  spoke 
some  rising  of  an  hoin*,  and  was  then  obliged  to  take 
my  bed.  Mr  Burlingham  and  his  wife,  and  some  of 
his   children,   seemed    to   be  very   much   concerned 


LIFE  OF    JOHN   COLBY.  185 

about  their  souls  :  their  principal  and  individual  en- 
quiry was,  "  f^Vliat  shall  I  do  to  he  saved.'''' 

'Ihursday,  Feb.  25th,  1  preaclied  at  Esquire 
Green's.  The  house  was  nriuch  crowded,  and  I  was 
under  the  necessity  of  speaking  louder  than  usual,  in 
order  that  the  people  might  hear  iu  the  different  apart- 
ments. The  Lord  strenjitliened  me  far  beyond  my 
expectations,  and  as  a  dying  man,  I  spake  to  dying 
creatures.  Many  of  the  dear  youth  wept  and  mourn- 
ed, and  I  himibly  trust,  that  day  will  not  be  soon  for- 
gotten. When  1  closed  \\\e  meeting,  I  feU  as  ihousili 
1  had  come  about  to  the  close  of  life.  I  re(ired  to 
my  chamber,  and  lay  down  where  I  continued  till  the 
next  day.  The  people  of  the  house  were  not  pro- 
fessors of  religion  ;  yet  they  took  great  care  oi  me, 
and  nursed  me  with  the  utmost  attention.  1  hope 
God  will  reward  them  for  their  kindness. 

Friday  morning,  Feb.  26,  I  felt  thankful  to  see  the 
light  of  another  day,  and  prayed  to  God,  to  strengthen 
me  to  leave  my  bed.  And  by  divine  grace,  dioui^h 
under  a  press  of  infirmities,  I  attended  to  my  appoint- 
ment at  one  o'clock  ;  preached  a  short  sermon,  and 
baptized  two.  After  meeting,  I  returned  to  Burril- 
viila.  And  on  Saturday  evening,  attended  a  meeting 
at  Cnpt  Henry  Rhodes',  wiiere  several  persons  related 
their  experience,  and  desired  baptism. 

Sabbath  Feb.  28th,  I  remained  very  weak  and 
unwell.  But  seeing  the  triultitude  collecting  to  hear 
the  word,  I  repaired  to  the  meeting  house,  wliich  I 
foimd  much  crowded  with  people,  and  prearhed  my 
farewell  sermon,  to  a  listening,  weeping,  and  solemn 
assembly.  I  do  not  know  that  ever  I  witnessed  a 
more  solemn  day.  I  felt  a  great  part  of  the  day,  as 
though  my  heart  must  break  at  the  il)!tughts  »)f  being 
parted  from  such  a  loving  company  of  brethren  At 
the  close  of  the  solemnities,  I  baptized  seven  persons. 
In  the  evening,  we  met  at  Dea.  Salisbury's  and  had  a 
peaceful  wailing  before  the  Lord.  At  this  meetnig, 
IG* 


186  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

several  who  lind  been  formerly  opposed  to  the  refor- 
malidu,  inaiiirested  their  deienuinaiioii  to  seek  and 
serve  the  l.oid  the  residue  of  their  (hiys.  t^everal 
others,  who  liad  been  conv(?rted,  told  their  experience, 
and  desired  to  be  baptized  before  my  departure. 

Monday  March  1st,  in  the  forenoon,  1  visited  Judge 
Smith,  a  man  of  talents  and  respectability,  and  much 
esteemed  as  a  citizen  ,  but  bad  neglet^ted  the  onk 
THING  NEf'-DFUL,  and  uow  fell  the  importance  ol  hav- 
ini!;  his  peace  made  with  (iod.  The  Judge  then  went 
with  me  lo  brother  llhodes',  where  a  meeting  was 
appointed  for  baptism.  After  several  bad  spoken, 
we  repaired  to  the  water,  and  I  baptized  six.  I  was 
strengtliened  to  perform  the  adiiiinistration,  beyond 
my  own  expectation,  and  even  as  I  thcught,  to  a  mir- 
acle. However  these  measures  oi  strength  were 
given  me  only  for  present  purposes,  namely,  to  per- 
form the  special  duties  required  of  me,  in  the  time  of 
weakness.  At  this  season,  I  lecollected  the  follow- 
ing words  : — 

He  has  engag'd  by  firm  decree, 

That  as  thy  day,  thy  strength  shall  be.* 

Capt.  William  end  Capt.  Henry  Rhodes,  were  two 
of  the  above  number,  who  took  u])  their  cross  and 
followed  Christ  into  the  baptismal  water  that  day. — 
Their  example  struck  many,  and  seemed  to  add  much 
to  the  solemnty  of  the  scene.  I  had  now  baptized 
forty-dco  persons  in  the  town  of  BurriKille,  and  there 
were  many  others  who  had  experienced  religion  in 
the  coiu'se  of  this  short  work;  and  the  reformation 
still  spread. 

Monday  evening,  a  young  man  came  after  me  to  go 
to  (jloucester.  I  enquired  the  cause  of  his  coming 
for  me.  He  answered  and  said,  that  a  Mr  Smith, 
and  his  wife,  had  sent  out  into  the  neighborhood  after 

♦AUudinsr  to  the  obedient  christian. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  187 

him  to  come  into  their  house;  and  that  when  he  came 
in,  h  '  observed  ihaf  Mrs  Smith  lay  on  the  bed  in  great 
distress;  and  that  Mr  b-'mith,  s;it  by  the  bedside,  weep- 
ing; ihat  the  neigiibors  were  much  alarmed,  and   ad- 
vised Mr  l^^miih  to  send  for  the  doctor.      But  she   re- 
plied, "  /  am  going  to  hell !     I  am  going    to    hell ! — 
Send  to  Burritville.,  for  Elder  Colby  to  come  and  pray 
for  me!"     1  told  the  youn*;  man  that  I  should  be  clad 
to  grant  her  request;  not  that  1  expected  to  save  her 
from  going  to  hell;  but,  pos>^ibly,   1    might  be   instru- 
mental of  showing  her  a  road   which  leads  from   it. — 
But  as  I  was  about  leaving  that  regmn.  and  was  unwell, 
I  did  i,ot  think  it  any  way  comportable  with  my  duty, 
to  go.      However,  bi other  Henry   Rhodes  went   with 
the  young  man,  and  was  joyrujly  received  by  ilie  fam- 
ily.    I  have  understood   since  li.'at  the   woman   expe- 
rienced a  pardon   that  evening.     Ihis   beirig  the   last 
evening  that  I  expected  to  tarry  in  the  place,  a   num- 
ber oi  young  people,  (chiefly   converts;)  met   at   the 
bouse  where    I   stayed,     'i  he   evening  was    spent    in 
prayer;  and  after  many  of  iliem  had   prayed  for  me  I 
attempted  to  pray  vocally  (or  tnyself.      A  certain  young 
woman  present,    who  had  not    experienced    religion, 
broke  in  ui)on  me,  and  began  to  pray  that  GoiJ  would 
have  mercy  upon  her  soul;  and  1  believe  she  obtained 
a  degree  of  peace,  before  she  got  off  her  knees. 

Finding  my  health  very  much  reduced,  and  feeling 
unfit  to  preach,  I  concluded  to  leave  Rhode  Island  for 
a  season,  and  retire  to  my  father's  in  Vermont. 

Tuesday  morning,  March  2d,  I  left  EurrilviHe,  and 
went  to  I'rovidence.  I  attendad  a  meeting  in  the 
evening,  and  spake  a  few  minutes.  I  tarried  in  the 
place  till  Friday  morning  when  I  took  the  stage,  and 
went  to  Boston,  where  1  tarried  till  after  the  fcabbaih; 
but  did  not  attend  meeting  in  that  place. 

Monday,  March  8th,  1  took  the  stage  and  went  to 
Salem,  and  attended  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  where 
Elder  Rand  then  preached. 


188  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

Tuesday,  TNIarrh  9ili,  I  left  Salem,  and  went  to 
Portsnioiiili;  I  tarried  there  two  days,  and  attended 
several  meetings;  but  said  but  little. 

Friday,  March  12ih,  1  left  Portsmouth,  and  went 
to  Pitlsfield,  at  which  place  the  spotted  (ever  was 
then  raging.  Above  an  hundred  of  the  inhabitants 
had  been  sick,  and  many  of  them  died  of  the  disor- 
der. J  tarried  in  the  town  till  the  next  Wednestiay, 
attended  one  funeral,  and  several  other  nieeiings,  and 
had  gf>od  seasons.  Sinners  were  much  alarmed  at 
the  judgments  of  Cod  and  some  obtained  niercy. 

Wednesday,  Marcii  Hih,  I  left  Pittsfield,  and  went 
to  M<'rH(hth:  I  tarried  that  night  at  Col.  Sniiih's.  I 
had  much  consolation  in  this  visit,  for  the  C  ol.  and 
Ills  wife,  are  both  humble  followers  of  Clirist. 

Tliursday,  I  went  to  Centre  Harbor;  and  Friday, 
to  Sandwich,  the  place,  as  1  have  said  before,  of  my 
nativiiy.  About  the  moment  that  I  arrived  at  the 
me(Miug-house  village;,  news  came  ihatayoung  woman 
was  dyiuii  of  the  s[)()tted  lever,  and  I  was  lequested 
to  go  in  and  see  her.  I  ran  in,  and  foimd  she  was 
dying  sure  enough.  Being  requested  by  her  mother, 
1  prayed  with  her.  She  died  in  a  few  minutes.  She 
was  taken  sick  on  that  meaning  and  died  at  the  setting 
of  the  sun,  the  same  day. 

Saturday,  1  attended  the  funeral  of  sister  Marston, 
in  'J'amu'orth:  she  was  a  pious  woman,  lived  in  the 
truth,  and  died  in  the  Lord.  Elder  Joseph  Uuimby 
preached  her  funeral  sermon.  At  the  close  of  the  so- 
lemnity, I  sung  the  foUoming  lines: — 

How  bless'd  is  our  sister,  bereft 
Of  all  that  could  burden  her  miad; 

How  ensy  ihc  .soul  that  has  left 
Thi'j  wearisome  body  behind,  &:c. 

Sabbath  day,  March  21st,  I  preached  the  funeral 
sermon  of  the  young  woman  above  mentioned:  it  was 
a  solemn    time,  especially    among  her  connexions. — 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT.  189 

After  tneeling  closed,  I  visited  several  families,  where 
the  disorder  was  spreading.  I  then  left  Sandwich, 
and  went  to  Centre  Haibor. 

Monday,  hearing  that  the  spotted  fever  was  pre- 
vailnig  in  Bdiyrnead,  and  that  some  of  my  father's 
family  were  sick,  1  immediately  started  for  home.  I 
stayed  that  night  at  Haverhdl  corner;  and  on  Wed- 
nesday, tlie  24th  of  March,  I  reached  my  father's 
hoine:  And  to  my  unspeakable  joy.,  found  my  friends 
all  alive,  although  some  of  them  had  been  very  sick. 
Tiaie  would  I'ail  me,  to  mention  all  the  particulars  of 
the  sickness  and  deaths,  which  happened  in  this  place. 
In  the  course  of  the  sickness,  there  were  about  ten, 
who  died  of  the  disorder  in  a  short  time:  two  of  them 
were  mothers  in  Israel.  One  was  a  yountr  man,  who 
had  never  professed  religion,  till  about  four  days  be- 
fore his  death.,  And  then,  notwithstanding  the  weak- 
ness of  his  body,  he  devoted  his  whole  time  to  con- 
\'ersation  with  his  neighbors,  and  warning  them  to  flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come.  He  talked  most  solemnly 
and  aft'.H'tingly  lo  one  of  his  cousins,  just  before  his 
departure:  his  cousin  having  been  a  professor,  and 
having  backslidden.  To  him,  he  said,  "you  once 
professed  religion  and  have  been  baptised,  and  I  re- 
member )ou  warned  me  to  flee  from  the  wralh  to 
come;  ;ind  told  me  the  necessity  of  being  born  again; 
and  what  a  g'orious  thing  it  was  to  have  religion. — 
And  now,  glory  to  God,  I  have  found  rfligion,  and 
found  it  lo  be  far  better  than  you  described  it.  And 
now,  said  he,  will  you  turn  again  to  the  Lord,  that 
you  may  get  and  enjoy  religion  again,  and  meet  me  in 
heaven?"  Being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  )ie  turn* 
ed  his  ey(;s  towards  the  spectators,  and  called  upon 
them  lo  bear  witness  to  what  his  cousin  had  said;  for, 
continued  hj,  he  has  once  professed  religion,  and  has 
wickedly  departed  from  the  Lord,  and  I  am  afraid  he 
will  not  be  true  now.  I  want  you  to  remind  him  of 
his  promise^  wh'in  I  am  dead,"  &c.  &.c.     Such  is  the 


190  LIFE  OF  John  coLBi. 

narrative  of  this  alarming  sickness,  which  was  very 
distressing  indeed. 

Sabbath,  March  28ih,  I  preached  at  Billy nnead, and 
it  wns  a  sr)lemn  and  glorious  day. 

Thursday,  April  Isl,  1  attended  a  funeral  in  Barton. 
The  deceased  was  a  young  married  woman,  oidy  nine- 
teen years  of  age;  an  ainiiibie  person,  the  delight  of 
her  husband,  and  an  humble  follower  of  Jesus.  Her 
death  was  much  lamented  by  all  her  friends  and  ac- 
quaintance, and  the  lamentations  of  her  mourning  hus- 
band were  indescribable. 

Friday,  April  2d,  1  returned  and  attended  a  funeral 
in  Biirk.  An  unusual  gloom  rested  on  my  mind,  after 
the  close  of  the  solemn  exercise,  the  cause  of  which 
I  was  not  able  to  understand. 

Tuesday,  April  Cth,  I  was  sent  for  to  attend  anoth- 
er funeral  in  Burk;  but  was  so  unwell,  that  I  did  not 
reach  the  place.  '1  he  day  following  I  was  sent  for 
again,  to  attend  another  funeral  in  the  same  town. — 
My  liealth  being  a  little  better,  I  went  and  attended  it. 
This  funeral  was  also  that  of  a  blooming  youth,  and 
sister  to  the  young  married  woman  mentioned  above. 
This  was  a  very  solemn  day.  My  heart  was  much 
affected,  at  seeing  the  young  people,  on  every  hand, 
falling  victims  to  voracious  death.  Saturday  follow- 
ing, 1  preached  on  Danville  Green:  and  also  on  the 
Sabbath;  but  nothitig  special  took  place. 

Monday,  April  12th,  I  returned  to  Billyrnead,  and 
spent  the  rest  of  the  week  in  visiting  the  sick,  &c. 

Sabbath,  April  18ih,  1  preached  at  Billyrnead,  and 
we  had  a  refreshing  season.  1  spent  the  residite  of 
the  week,  in  visiting  from  house  to  house. 

Sabbath,  April  25ih,  I  preached  at  Burk.  In  the 
afternoon,  [  directed  my  discourse  to  the  surviving 
frietrds  of  Ruth  Graves,  late  of  that  town,    deceased. 

Monday,  Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  I  was  at  Billy- 
mead. 

Thursday,  I  returned  to  Burk.     And, 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  191 

Friday,  April  30th,  I  attended  meeting  at  Brother 
Daniel  Colby's.  It  was  a  good  time  amona:  the  chil- 
dren of  (lod:  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord. 

Saturday,  May  1st,  I  attended  Church  meeting  in 
Sutton*  Two  persons  related  their  experience,  and 
desired  to  be  baptised      Accordingly, 

Sabbaih  day,  May  2d,  I  preached  in  the  same  place, 
and  baptized  them.  The  congregation  was  large  and 
attentive;  and  at  the  close  of  the  meeting,  Elder 
Chapel,  and  myself,  brake  bread  to  the  brethren. — 
This  was  a  glorious  day.  Sinners  mourned  and  trem- 
bled, saints  rejoiced,  and  lukewarm  professors  began 
to  bestir  themselves. 

Monday,  May  3d,  in  the  afternoon,  I  attended  a 
meeting  of  worship,  and  had  a  refreshing  season. — 
Several  youn^  people  were  convicted,  and  toiti  us  that 
they  were  determined  to  seek  and  serve  the  Lord. 

Tuesday,  I  preached  at  Whtelock,  to  a  great  as- 
sembly. The  people  appeared  to  be  much  affected, 
and  there  was  a  sound  of  abundance  of  rain:  we  ex- 
perienced some  heavenly  drops  in  this  meeting.  The 
shock  appeared  to  be  very  general,  and  affected  the 
people  of  all  classes.  I  think  there  were  about  forty 
persons,  who  spake  in  the  meeting;  some  of  whom 
exhorted;  sotne  prayed;  and  others  came  forward, 
and  desired  to  be  prayed  for.  From  thence  I  went  to 
Burk,  and  attended  a  prayer  meetmg  in  tlie  evening. 
On  the  next  day,  I  visited  a  number  of  my  friends, 
and  endeavoured  to  set  my  business  in  order,  to  set 
off  for  Rhode  Island.  In  the  evening,  the  brethren 
and  friends  collected  in,  and  filled  the  house;  and  we 
spent  the  evenitig  in  singing,  praying,  exhorting,   &c. 

Thursday,  May  6th,  i  had  to  fohsake  all  again. 
I  had  to  fuisake  father,  mother,  brothers  and  sisters; 
and  in  a  certain  sense,    my  own  life  also  for  the  sake 

♦Here  observe  the  name  of  Billymead  is  changed  to  Suttos. 


192 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLDV. 


of  Christ  and  the  gospel.  I  went  that  dsiy  as  far  as 
Haverhill,  N.  H.  From  thence  I  proceeded  to  I'orts- 
moniii;  Irom  thence  to  HavHii)ill,  Mass  ;  Ironi  Ha- 
veihill  to  l?oston;  from  Hoston  lo  1  rovidence;  and 
from  Providence  to  Burrilville.  I  attended  several 
meetings  by  the  way,  and  had  refreshing  limes. 

1  arrived  at  Burrilvdie,  fc^aturday,  May  15.  And 
on  Sabbath,  May  16lh,  agreeable  to  previous  appomt- 
ment,  I  preached  at  the  meeting  house  in  that  town. 
I  here  met  a  larti;e  conconrse  of  people  collected  from 
various  parts;  a  large  number  of  whom,  were  filled 
with  the  love  of  Christ.  (  felt  thankful  to  see  my 
loving  brethren,  and  that  God  had  so  far  restored  my 
health.  'I'he  op[)Osers  of  religion  had  said,  in  the 
time  of  reformation;  that  as  soon  as  Colby  was  gone, 
the  converts  would  all  be  back  into  tiie  world  again. 
■  But  here  we  proved  their  predictions  to  be  lalse.  For 
vviien  1  returned,  1  found  that  not  one  of  them  had 
gone  back;  but  every  one  appeared  to  be  striving  for 
conquest,  and  to  be  n)ore  engaged  than  they  were 
when  I  left  them.  In  the  evening,  I  attended  meeting 
at  Deacon  Salisbury's,  and  we  had  a  powerful  time. 
Several  were  struck  under  conviction. 

Monday,  I  visited  several  families,  and  in  the  eve- 
ning, preached  a  sermon.  Afier  which,  a  number 
spake  of  the  goodness  of  God,  and  one  related  her  ex- 
perience. 

Tuesday,  I  returned  to  Burrilville,  and  made  sever- 
al visits  on  the  way,  in  which  1  enjoyed  sweet  conso- 
lation. The  same  evening,  I  tarried  with  Judge 
Smith,  who  still  remained  under  severe  trial-:,  and 
considered  himself  ahmist  given  u|)  to  tne  bidfeiings 
of  satan.  But  he  |)rayed  with  his  laniily.  and  he  ap- 
peared solemn,  sincere,  and  affecting.  llis  wife  and 
son  also  prayed  with  him;  and  I  found  it  to  be  a  com- 
fortable season  to  my  soul. 

Wednesday,  I  attended  a  conference,  m  whicii  the 
brethren  and  sistei's  spoke  with  great  freedom,  and  a 


LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLDY.  193 

number  told  their  experience,  and  desired  to  be  bap- 
tized. 

Tliursdciy  I  went  to  Coventry,  and  attended  a  meet- 
ing with  Elder  r'arnum.  We  had  a  good  refreshing 
time;  many  were  affected  under  the  word,  and  de- 
sired to  be  prayed  for.  At  the  close,  we  repaired  to 
the  water,  and  Elder  Farnum  paptized  six,  whom, 
he  said  increased  the  number  of  baptized  persons,  to 
some  rising  of  an  hundred  and  twenty,  to  whom  he 
had  administered  the  ordinance,  within  about  six 
months. 

The  next  day,  I  returned  to  Gloucester,  and  at- 
tended a  meeting  in  the  evening;  and  on  Saturday,  re- 
turned to  Burrilville. 

Salibath,May  23d,  I  preached  in  the  meeting-house, 
to  the  largest  assembly  I  had  ever  seen  together  in  that 
country.  In  the  intermission,  we  repaired  to  the  wa- 
ter, where  I  baptized  .Judge  Snn'th's  son,  and  eight 
others,  chiefly  youth,  and  some  of  the  first  characters 
in  the  place,  it  was  quite  affecting,  to  see  the  Judge 
lead  his  son  to  and  from  the  water.  After  baptism, 
we  returned  to  the  meeting-house,  where  I  preached 
another  sermon.,  and  many  of  the  brethren  spake  bold- 
ly as  witnesses  of  the  truth.  The  galleries  were 
crowded  with  young  people,  and  they  had  many  sol- 
emn warnings  that  day,  from  their  companions.  In 
the  evening,  we  met  at  Esq.  Steer's,  where  we  had  a 
glorious  time. 

Monday,  M;iy  Ji4th,  I  preached  the  funeral  sermon 
of  a  little  child,  a  little  daughter  of  brother  Smith 
Britton  The  dispensation  seemed  very  afflictive,  it 
being  their  only  child;  and  was  especially  so,  to  the 
tenrier  mother,  who  had  her  affections  probably  too 
much  placed  on  the  child.  But  the  Lord  giveih,  and 
the  Lord  takeih  away;  and  it  is  for  our  happiness  to 
be  resigned  to  his  will. 

Tuesday,  May  25,  I  visited  several  families;  and  in 
the  evening,  preached  at  Deacon  Salisbury's.  In  this 
17 


194  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

meeting,  two  middle  aged  men,  heads  of  families,  told 
the  pti)|)ie  that  they  were  determined  to  seek  and 
serve  the  Lord,  which  was  a  matter  of  great  joy  to 
their  children,  who  had  rehgion  hefore. 

Wednesday,  May  2Gih,  1  was  called  to  Gloucester 
to  attend  the  funeral  of  a  woman  who  died  very  sud- 
denly, and  left  a  number  of  little  children,  to  the  care 
of  an  afflicted  husband.  This  was  truly  a  mournful 
scene,  and  I  think  that  day  will  never  be  forgotten  by 
some.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  in  the  east  part  of 
Burrilville.  'Jhis  was  a  refres)jing  time  to  saints,  and 
a  time  of  mourning  for  sinners. 

'Ihtirsday,  jSlay  27,  I  went  again  to  Gloucester,  to 
attend  a  meeting;  but  the  rain  prevented  the  people 
from  attending. 

Friday  1  went  to  Providence,  preached  in  the  eve- 
ning, and  had  a  solemn  time. 

►Saturday,  1  preached  at  Smithfield  Academy,  which 
appeared  to  have  some  good  effect.  In  the  evening, 
I  preached  at  Gloucester,  and  two  persons  ofiered 
themselves  for  baptism. 

jNext  morning,  being  Sabbath,  the  people  gathered 
from  every  quarter,  and  1  enjoyed  great  freedom  in 
preaching  the  word  to  them.  Jn  the  intermission,  I 
baptized  two  persons;  and  in  the  afternoon,  the  as- 
sembly being  too  large  to  convene  in  any  house  in  the 
neighborhood,  1  preached  in  a  field  under  the  shade 
of  the  spreading  branches  of  a  tree:  it  was  a  glorious 
day.  I  then  relumed  to  Burrilville,  and  in  the  eve- 
ning preached  at  i)ea.  Salisbury's,  and  found  that  the 
work  of  the  Lord  was  gloriously  spreading  in  that 
neighborhood. 

Monday,  May  31st,  I  was  somewhat  unwell;  yet  in 
the  afternoon,  I  preached  at  Mr  Aldrige's  in  tlie  south 
part  of  Louglass.  By  forgetting  to  lake  my  watch,  I 
was  h:ilf  an  hour  later  than  my  appointn  ent.  From 
this  circumstance,  1  was  led  to  consider  tlx^  impor- 
tance of  every  one's  having  a  watch  and  watching.     I 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT.  195 

therefore  took  it  as  the  (oundation  of  my  discourse, 
*'  IVIiat  I  say  unto  you,  I  say  unto  all,  watch."  I 
told  the  people,  that  I  awfully  feared  if  they  did  not 
icatcli,  the  day  of  salvaiion  would  pass  away  before 
they  were  aware;  and  that  they  would  miss  of  heaven, 
if  they  should  forg;et  their  watch.  1  enjoyed  good 
liberty  in  speaking.,  and  God  set  home  the  word  with 
power,  to  the  iiearts  of  the  people. 

Tuesday  June  1st,  I  attended  a  meeting  of  confer- 
ence, a^  Esq  Steer's,  where  seven  told  tlieir  experi- 
ence, and  were  received  by  the  Church,  as  candidates 
for  baptism. 

Wednesday,  I  attended  a  meeting  in  Gloucester, 
for  the  same  purpose;  and  heard  a  number  more  re- 
late their  experience. 

Thursday  in  the  afternoon,  I  preached  in  Scituate, 
to  a  great  assembly;  and  at  tlie  close,  baptized  a  wo- 
man who  was  in  a  decline,  and  desired  lo  follow  her 
Lord  and  Master  in  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  before 
she  left  the  world.  The  administration  was  solemn 
and  truly  affecting  to  every  spectator.  After  meeting 
I  returned  to  Burrilville.  And,  on  Friday  June  4th, 
at  half  psst  12,  I  went  to  the  water  and  baptized  ten. 
A  great  company  of  people  attended.  This  exercise 
being  ended,  1  went  three  miles,  to  attend  the  funeral 
of  a  young  man.  1  found  the  house  of  mourning 
filled  ami  surrounded  with  people;  and  I  had  a  solemn 
time,  while  speakinnr  on  the  mournful  occasion.  After 
the  close  of  this  scene,  1  returned  to  the  meeting- 
house; and  at  4  o'clock  P.  M.  preached  another  ser- 
mon. ^Vfter  this,  I  broke  bread  to  a  large  company 
of  happy  converts,  who,  with  holy  solemnity,  and  ex- 
tatic  joy,  surrounded  their  Father's  table,  to  commem- 
orate the  death  and  sufferings  of  Christ.  The  most 
beautiful  order  was  observed,  through  all  the  duties  of 
the  day;  and  I  think  there  were  but  a  very  iew  of  the 
vast  multitude,  that  returned  to  their  homes,  careless 
about  their  souls'  salvation. 


196  LIFE  OF  John  coLBi. 

Saturday,  June  5th,  Pt  12  o'clock,  I  attended  a 
meeeting  at  Judge  Smith's;  and  was  nuicli  disai)poiiit- 
ed,  at  scLMPg  so  many  people  collected,  at  <o  eaily  an 
hour;  espec'ially  in  such  a  husy  time.  The  house 
was  filled,  and  pretty  much  surrounded  uiih  people. 
I  preached  a  short  sermon.  After  which,  a  number 
related  their  experience,  and  desirpd  to  (oilow  (-'hrist 
in  baptism.  We  then  repaired  to  the  water,  walking 
in  procession,  and  singing  as  we  walked,  through  a 
beautiful  field,  near  half  a  mile,  when  we  came  to  the 
delightful  stream,  which  seemed,  as  if  the  Cod  of  na- 
ture had  prepared  on  purpose,  for  the  athiiinistration 
of  the  ordinance.  The  .fudge,  not  feeling  his  own 
duty  so  clear  as  he  wished,  ;ook  his  dear  wife  by  the 
hand,  and  led  her  down  the  hank  to  me,  and  gave  her 
up,  saying  '■' the  Lord  go  uith  you.'''  I  then  buried 
her  with  l.'hrist  in  baptism;  and  when  she  arose  out  of 
the  water,  she  lilted  up  her  eyes  toward  heaven,  and 
praised  the  Lord  with  all  her  heart,  for  what  he  had 
done  for  her  soul.  Six  others  were  ba[)tized  at  the 
same  time.  The  church  of  Christ  in  Burrilville,  now 
consisted  of  seventy-five  baptized  members,  who  ap- 
peared to  be  perfectly  united  in  love;  and  the  pros- 
pect of  an  increase  was  still  glorious. 

Sabbatli,  June  6th,  I  gave  the  parting  hand  to  my 
dear  breihien  in  that  place,  and  went  to  Coventry, 
where  I  had  previously  been  sent  for,  to  assist  in  an 
ordination,  it  was  judged  that  there  were  about  3000 
persons  present  at  this  meeting.  In  the  forenoon,  the 
people  collected  in  and  about  the  meeting  house. — ■ 
And  in  the  afternoon,  one  meeting  was  hold- n  in  the 
meeting  house,  and  another  in  an  orchard,  about  an 
hundred  rods  distant.  I  preached  in  the  meeting 
house,  and  had  good  liberty;  a  number  cried  for  mer- 
cy. Elder  Farnum  then  broke  bread  to  a  large  num- 
ber of  brethren;  after  which,  both  congregations  met 
on  the  conmion,  and  the  ordination  was  performed. 

Monday,  I  went  to  Providence;  and  in  the  evcinng 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  COLBY.  197 

took  the  mail  stage  and  went  on  to  Boston.  Tuesday, 
I  went  to  Salem;  and  on  Wednesday  to  Portsmouib, 
On  Thursday,  I  preached  in  Kiitery,  which  was  the 
first  time  that  I  had  ever  preached  in  that  place.  It 
was  a  good  meeting.  A  number  of  backsliders  coti- 
fessed  their  heart  wanderings;  sinners  cried  for  mer- 
cy, and  the  Lotd  answered  their  prayer. 

After  meeting  I  crossed  back  to  Portsmouth  and  at- 
tended a  meeting  in  the  evening. 

Friday,  I  left  Portsmouth;  and  on  Saturday,  ar- 
rived at  New  Durham,  it  being  the  time  of  our  yearly 
meeting  in  that  town.  The  meeting  continued  three 
days;  many  people  attended,  and  I  trust  that  good  was 
dene  in  the  name  of  the  holy  child  Jesus. 

Tuesday,  I  travelled  as  far  as  Sandwich;  and  on 
Wednesday;  I  preached  at  brother  Ambrose' — tb« 
next  day;  at  Deacon  Rice's. 

Friday,  I  preached  at  Eaton,  wiiere  I  was  unex- 
pectedly called  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon  of  a  wo- 
man who  dropped  away  very  suddenly  and  left  no  ev- 
idence for  the  consolation  of  her  friends,  it  was  an 
affecting  scene,  to  see  a  number  of  weeping  children, 
standing  around  the  coffin,  in  a  flood  of  tears,  witli- 
out  one  cheering  evidence  to  comfort  them,  under 
their  almost  insupportable  loss  !  Methought  I  antici- 
pated their  langujige.  from  their  excessive  mourning? 
"  0  that  we  could  but  have  heard  our  dear  mother  pray 
hut  cnce,  before  she  died,  <^c.  then  we  could  have  given 
her  up.  But  alas!  she  has  lejt  us  no  evidence  that 
she  IS  gone  to  rest.      0  hoic  can  ice  give  her  vp  " 

Saturday,  I  preached  at  Ossipee.  A  number  de- 
sired to  be  prayed  for;  and  for  about  the  space  of  an 
hour,  it  was  a  weeping,  praying  time.  The  same  af- 
ternoon, I  [)reachpd  at  Effingham;  and  on  the  day  fol- 
lowing, being  the  Sabbath,  June  20th,  I  preached  tf 
Parsonsfield,  north  meeting  house. 

Monday,  being  a  rainy  day,  1  tarried  and  had  a  hap- 
py mtervievv  with  Eider  John  Buzzel  and  his  family- 
17* 


198  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COI.BV. 

Tuesday,  T  sat  off  for  Montville,  and  travelled  that 
day  as  far  as  New- Gloucester.  The  next  day  1  trav- 
elled to  Augusta,  situated  on  the  Kennehec  River. 

'J  liursday  morning,  I  took  a  walk  into  the  grave- 
yard, to  ste  the  graves  of  the  (ainily  ol  Capt.  .lames 
Purrinoton,  who  were  cruelly  butchered  by  liimsellin 
cool  blood,  under  a  mistaken  frenzy  or  notion,  that 
every  body  would  be  saved,  and  the  sooner  they  got 
out  ol  this  troublesome  world,  the  better.  'J  his  horrid 
crime  was  committed  on  the  8th  of  July,  A.  D  180G. 
He  killed  his  wife  and  seven  children,  and  would  liave 
killed  the  eighth,  and  only  one  left,  had  he  not  fortu- 
nately made  his  escape,  after  being  struck  at  twice  or 
thrice,  with  an  axe  by  his  father.  Here  lay  the  re- 
main'^ of  the  mangled  mother,  and  her  seven  butcher- 
ed children,  in  their  silent  graves  ;  all  regardless  of 
the  frequent  visits  and  tears,  of  an  only  surviving  son 
and  brother.  There,  in  the  highway,  over  against  the 
grave  of  the  murdered  family,  was  the  grave  of  the 
perpetrator.  ISature  itself  recoiled  at  the  s))ectacle  ; 
and  my  heart  felt  deeply  wounded,  while  considering 
the  awful  elTects  of  sin,  and  the  sad  consequences  of 
false  aud  fatal  doctrines.  I  poured  out  my  soul  in 
prayer  to  Cod,  and  entreated  binti  to  have  mercy  on 
all  my  dear  fellow  mortals,  and  deliver  them  Irom  the 
fatal  and  delusive  doctrines,  which  lead  to  destruction: 
and  enable  them  to  embrace  the  gospel  of  his  dear 
Son.     1  then  left  Augusta  and  went  to  Montville. 

On  Saturday,  I  attended  the  monthly  conference, 
and  found  love  and  harmony  still  prevailing  among  the 
brethren  in  that  place. 

Sabbath,  June  27th  I  preached  in  Montville. — 
Sever.'l  appeared  very  tender  under  the  word,  and  one 
woman  found  a  pardon  of  her  sins,  a  few  days  after. 
In  the  course  of  the  week  I  attended  several  meetings 
in  different  parts  of  the  town.  1  also  attended  one 
meeting  in  Belfast;  and   baptized  two  men,*  who  ap- 

*A  Major  aad  a  Captain. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  199 

peared  to  be  men  of  property  and  respectability,  and 
bid  fair  to  be  very  useful  members  in  the  Church  of 
Christ. 

Sabbath  day,  July  4th,  I  preached  again  in  Mont- 
ville,  to  the  largest  assembly  that  ever  I  saw  collected 
in  that  country,  on  any  occasion.  At  the  close  of 
this  happy  and  heavenly  meeting,  I  broke  bread  to 
upwards  of  an  hundred  brethren. 

Monday,  July  5ih,  having  previously  appointed  a 
meeting  in  Sutton,  V't.  (between  two  and  three  hun- 
dred miles  from  this  place  ;)  on  the  18ih  of  the  same 
month,  I  Ibund  that  1  could  tarry  no  longer.  And 
leaving  Montville  I  pursued  my  journey  as  far  as  Mon- 
mouih. 

Tuesday,  July  6th,  T  went  as  far  as  New-Glouces- 
ter,, and  preached  there  in  the  afternoon. 

Wednesday,  I  travelled  as  far  as  Standish,  and 
attended  a  meeting  in  the  afternoon  and  another  in  the 
evening 

Thursday,  I  went  to  Parsonsfield  ;  and  on  Friday, 
to  Sandwich,  N.  H.  where  I  attended  a  very  solemn 
meeting  the  same  afternoon. 

On  t-'aturdayi  I  preached  at  Moultonborous^h. 
Sabbath  day,   in   the  forenoon,    at  Meredith,  and 
baptised  sister  Eoynton.     Jn  ihe  afternoon,  I  preached 
at  tlie  meeting-house  in  Centre-Harbor, 

On  Monday,  I  preached  in  Rumney.  And  the 
Thursflay  following,  July  15th,  I  reached  my 
fatlier's  house  m  Sutton,  alias  Billymead  ;  and  my 
heart  filled  with  thankfulness  to  God,  for  his  abound- 
ing goodness  in  preserving  my  life,  through  so  many 
dangers,  and  returning  me  once  more  to  my  friends. 

Sabbath,  July  l3th,  I  preached  in  Sutton,  and  the 
good  F.ord  was  in  our  midst. 

Friday.  July  23d,  I  preached  at  Slieffield  ;  and 
after  meeting  I  went  to  Wheelock.  When  I  had  got 
within  about  a  mile  of  the  house  where  I  expected  to 
put  up,  a  messenger  met  me,  intorming  Mr  Wakefield, 


200  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

(a  ?:pntleman  in  company,)  that  his  little  daughter  was 
drowned.  I  immediately  put  my  horse  into  a  run, 
and  reached  the  place  as  soon  as  possible.  W  hen  we 
arrived,  we  found  the  child  had  been  taken  out  of  the 
river  and  brought  to  the  house.  We  then  exerted 
ourselves  to  the  utmost,  and  made  use  of  all  the  means 
in  our  power  to  recover  it.  Init  finding  no  signs  of 
life,  I  said  to  the  parents,  you  must  give  her  up  :  she 
is  gone  :  she  has  taken  her  flight  from  you,  and  can- 
not return  to  you  asain.  Ihey  d^^sired  me  to  pray 
for  them,  which  I  did  ;  and  they  both  kneeled  with 
me 

The  next  day,  I  attended  the  funeral  of  the  child, 
and  preached  to  a  large  and  solenm  assembly. 

Sabbath,  July  25th,  I  prear  hed  at  Wheelock  meet- 
ing-house, and  as  I  was  coming  to  the  place,  while 
coDteinplaiing  on  the  hist  and  general  meeting  :  I  had 
a  reiiiarkable  discovery  in  my  mind,  of  the  power  and 
glory  of  God,  and  of  his  mercy  and  grace,  extendmg 
over  Wheelock.  Under  these  impressior.s,  1  hasted 
to  the  house,  and  found  it  remarkably  crowded  uiih 
people  :  and  I  do  not  know,  that  ever  I  felt  the  ciuise 
of  (-iod  and  precious  souls,  lay  nearer  to  my  heart, 
than  they  did  that  day.  I  lell  so  affected,  and  my 
soul  so  weighed  down  with  a  sense  of  the  situation  of 
lost  sinners,  that  I  could  scarcely  utter  myself.  In 
the  intermission,  Col.  r'ifield  invited  me  to  his  house 
to  take  dinner.  I  went  but  could  not  eat.  I  thought 
then,-  as  Abraham's  servant  said,  '  I  will  not  eat  uiuil 
I  have  told  mine  errand.'  J  therefore  returned  to  the 
meeiing-house,  and  delivered  my  message  ;  and  have 
reason  to  be'ieve,  that  God  set  the  word  home  with 
power,  to  the  hearts  of  the  people.  At  the  close  of 
the  meeting,  being  (ully  persuaded  that  the  discovery 
1  had  in  the  morring  was  true,  and  that  the  li.ippy 
hour  was  approaching,  when  the  lime  of  the  singing 
of  birds  would  come,  and    the   voice  of  the  turtle  be 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  201 

heard  in  the   land  ;  I  left  anoilier   appointment,   and 
returned  hume. 

Sabbath,  August  1st,  I  preached  at  Sutton  ;  and  at 
the  close  of  the  meeting,  I  baptized  five  young  peo- 
ple, who  gave  great  cvi(hnice  of  their  being  truly  con- 
verted to  God.  I  continued  in  the  town  through  the 
week,  arid  preached  there  the  next  Sabbath.  Jn  the 
afternoon,  having  been  [)revioi.isIy  requested  by  a 
widow  whose  husband  died  a  lew  days  before  in  the 
army,  I  preaclied  a  funeral  sermon.  The  scene  was 
solemn,  and  the  funeral  being  conducted  in  an  order- 
ly manner,  I  hoped  that  it  might  be  attended  with 
some  good  effect,  m  the  awakening  of  poor  sinners. 

Sabbath,  August  15tb,  I  preached  again  in  \V  hee- 
lock.  The  meeting-house  was  much  crowded  with 
])eople,  3  remarkable  solemnity  rested  on  the  congre- 
gation, and  the  signs  of  reformation  were  more  visible 
than  when  I  was  there  before.  At  the  close  of  the 
meeting,  desired  all  who  felt  a  resolution  to  seek  and 
serve  ttie  Lord,  and  to  encourage  the  reformation  iu 
others,  to  rise  up,  when  almost  the  whole  congrega- 
tion arose.  A  number  humbled  themselves  under 
the  mighty  hand  of  God,  and  bowed  before  the  Lord 
in  prayer.  And  I  left  the  town,  with  a  strong  hope  of 
seeing  in  it  a  glorious  spread  of  gospel  grace  among 
the  people. 

Sabhaih,  August  22,  being  sent  for  to  attend  a  fu- 
neral, I  went  to  the  hither  part  of  Kurby,  which  is 
about  ten  miles  from  Sutton.  This  was  a  very  sol 
en)n  and  striking  scene.  Two  corpses  were  brought 
into  the  meeting  ;  one,  that  of  a  man  probably  forty 
years  of  age,  taken  suddenly  away,  and  leaving  a  wife 
and  a  number  oi' children  overwhelmed  with  grief  and 
afSiction.  The  other,  a  young  woman,  snatched  away 
in  the  bloom  of  life,  and  in  the  morning  of  her  days  ; 
leaving  her  affectionate  parents,  brothers,  s'sters  and 
friends,  to  mourn  for  her,  and  follow  her  to  the  silent 
grave.     And  what  seemed   gready   to   a  id  to  tho  so- 


202  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

lemiiity  of  the  scene,  there  was  scarcely  a  house  in 
the  [ilat-e,  but  wliat  iiad  some  sick  in  it  ;  iiiid  the 
whole  lown  appeared  to  be  in  distress.  There  were 
not  well  people  enough  to  take  care  of  the  sick  ;  but 
the  peo|)le  came  out  of  oiher  towns,  to  assist  ilw^ii. — 
And  what  made  it  most  painful  to  me,  was,  that  the 
people  thus  sick  and  dying,  were  chiefly  those  who 
had  paid  little  or  no  attention  to  religion  and  the  wor- 
ship of  God  :  and  because  the  chief  tendency  of  this 
alarming  and  desolating  complaint,  was  to  benumb 
and  stupify  the  senses  ol  those  persons  attacked  by  it. 
So  that  there  was  but  little  probability  of  their  seeking 
the  Lord,  or  gelling  religion  on  the  sick  bed,  or  dy- 
ing pillow.  'J  he  funeral  being  ended,  I  hasted  to 
\\  heelock,  and  attended  a  meeting  there  in  the  after- 
noon. Here  I  had  a  good  time.  1  found  the  Spirit 
of  the  l.ord  was  still  moving  on  the  hearts  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  the  prospect  of  a  reformation  was  still  in- 
creasing. 

Ihursday,  August  26,  I  attended  another  funeral  in 
Kurby.  'I  he  deceased  was  a  man,  who  had  left  a 
wife  and  children,  and  parents,  to  mourn  for  him. 

Saturday  August  28th  1  attended  a  quarterly  meet- 
ing in  Sutton,  which  continued  two  days.  It  was 
judged  that  about  one  thou : and  people  attended,  who 
conducted  through  the  whole,  with  great  decency,  and 
good  order  At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  I  baptized 
two  persons.  I  spent  the  most  of  the  following  week 
in  \\  heelock,  where  I  attended  one  funeral,  and  sev- 
eral other  religious  meetings.  I  also  preached  in 
Wheelo(  k,  on  the  following  Sabbath,  (September 
5th  ;)  brcike  bread  to  the  brethren,  and  at  the  close, 
repaired  to  the  water,  and  baptized  six.  Here  I  be- 
gan to  see  my  desires  accomplished,  and  my  prayers 
answered.  "  Hope  deferred,  maketh  tlie  heart  sick  ; 
but  when  the  desire  coineth,  it  is  a  tree  of  life."  1 
found  it  so  indeed,  to  iiiy  soul  in  \\  heelock. 

jNlonday,  Sejitember  6th,  I  returned  to  my  father's; 


LIFE  OF    JOHN   COLBY.  203 

and  on  the  Wednesday  followinj;;,  I  atlended*a  meet- 
ing in  Bnik,  where  I  found  a  goodly  number  of  breth- 
ren, pursuing  the  heavenly  journey,  in  Larmony  and 
love. 

Thursday,  September  9ih,  being  Fast  day,  1  re- 
turned to  Sutton,  and  attended  meeting  there.  After 
meeting  I  went  to  Wheelock,  in  company  with  my 
natural  father.  We  attended  a  meeting  in  the  eve- 
ning ill  that  town  ;  and  the  next  morning  '.ve  sat  off 
for  Burlington,  (90  miles  distant  :)  and  as  we  went 
on,  we  stopped  at  Hardwick,  and  attended  a  meeting, 
wliicli  was  the  first  1  ever  attended  in  the  place  ;  and 
can  say,  it  was  a  pleasing  and  solemn  interview. — 
From  thence  we  continued  our  journey,  and  went 
about  fifteen  miles  after  meeting.  The  next  day,  we 
proceeded  down  the  River  Demile,  and  reached  Bur- 
hngion  about  sunset. 

tSabbath,  Se[)t.  12th,  early  in  the  morning,  we 
made  search  for  some  acquaintance  vvhic-h  we  had  in 
the  army,  whom  we  expected  to  have  found  in  that 
place.  But  it  so  happened,  that  the  .most  of  them 
were  gone,  with  a  part  of  the  army  that  had  crossed 
the  lake,  a  few  days  before.  After  getting  liberty  of 
the  commanding  officers,  we  went  on  the  grand  parade, 
where  J  got  upon  a  little  stand  and  began  to  sing  ;  at 
the  sound  of  which,  the  officers  and  soldiers  flocked 
out  of  their  tents  and  gathered  around  me  a«  thick  as 
bees.  After  singing  and  prayer,  they  sat  down  upon 
the  grass  1  then  read  a  passage  of  scripture,*  and 
preached  a  sermon.  And  I  must  acknowledge,  that 
I  never  saw  a  more  attentive  assembly  together  in  all 
my  life.  It  seemed  as  if  every  one  heard,  as  though 
it  had  been  expected  it  was  the  last  time.  Good 
order  was  observed  through  the  whole  exercise  ;  and 
when  I  addressed  the  young  men,  they  appeared  to 
be  much  affected.      Some   even    burst  into  a  flood  of 

♦Romans,  xiii:  12. 


204  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

tears.  •!  iintlerslood  afteruards,  iliat  this  was  tliefi,rst 
sermon  iliey  had  heard  during  the  whole  summer  — 
'Ilicre  were  a  number  present,  who  were  professors 
of  reh<iion  :  one  from  Aew-ilampshire,  whom  1  had 
ba|)iized  about  two  years  before.  iJe  came  to  me, 
gave  n)e  his  hand  and  said,  I  have  heard  heavy  tidings 
to  day.  My  eldest  daughter  is  dead,  and  1  sliall  see 
her  no  more  till  the  last  trumpet  shall  sound.  1  then 
prayed,  bid  them  farewell,  and  retired  to  tlie  hospital; 
and  after  obtaining  leave  of  the  physicians  1  visited 
the  sick,  in  tlie  first  and  second  stories.  I  then  situa- 
ted myself  where  the  whole  could  hear;  sung  an  hymn 
and  prayed.  I  then  spake  some  time.  Many  of  the 
physicians;  nurses,  guards,  &c.  gathered  round  me  in 
the  walk, and  many  more  gathered  below  on  the  ground. 
They  all  paid  good  attention,  through  the  wliole  of 
the  exercises. 

Monday  morning,  September  13,  we  left  Burling- 
ton, and  sat  oft' for  home;  and  on  Tuesday  night,  we 
arrived  at  W  heelock,  where  1  continued  ihrough  the 
week;  hut  my  father  left  me  and  went  liome.  I  at- 
tended several  religious  meetitigs,  and  saw  the  power 
of  God  remarkably  manifested  among  the  people. — 
The  reformation  began  to  spread  marvellously  among 
the  aged,  middle-aged  and  youth;  but  mostly  among 
the  two  latter.  About  as  last  as  the  subjects  of  the 
work  believed  in  Christ,  they  offered  themselves  for 
baptiHTi;  and  it  might  be  said  of  the  C  hurch  ol"(  hrist 
in  VV  heelock,  as  was  said  of  the  Church  ancienily;— 
"  and  ihe  lord  added  to  the  Church  daily,  such  as 
should  be  saved." 

About  the  24'h  of  October,  I  preached  in  that 
place  to  a  very  large  assembly.  A  little  before  I  clos- 
ed, feeling  an  impression  to  it  I  said,  1  feel  as  though 
there  are  some  here,  who  say  in  their  hearts,  like  the 
devout  Greeks  spoken  of  in  scripture,  "  sirs,  we 
W'ould  see  Jesus" — and  who  lorg  to  find  peace  to  your 
troubled  minds,  and  have  a  part  with  the  liaj)py   con- 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  J205 

verts.  If,  therefore,  there  are  any  in  the  assembly, 
who  are  thus  troubled,  and  would  count  it  a  privilege 
to  come  forward  and  publicly  manifest  their  desire  to 
seek  and  serve  the  Lord,  I  feel  willing  on  my  part,  to 
pray  for  you  in  particular,  as  well  as  for  the  congre- 
gation in  general.  The  mourners  arose,  in  every  part 
of  the  house;  and  collected  before  and  on  each  side 
of  the  pulpit  filling  the  aisles.  I  should  judge  that 
about  forty  or  fifty  persons,  when  I  prayed,  fell  upon 
their  knees  with  one  accord,  and  joined  in  prayer.  I 
observed  among  the  rest,  a  number  of  militia  officers, 
all  belons/ing  to  the  south  company  in  Wheelock. — 
These  officers,  soon  after,  at  a  training,  invited  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church  to  pray  with  them,  at  the  beginning 
and  ending  thereoi':  were  not  ashamed,  in  their  uni- 
form, (surrounded  by  the  great  men  of  the  world,)  to 
bow' themselves  before  the  great  God,  and  kneel  be- 
fore their  maker  in  the  time  of  prayer. 

Oct.  30th  and  31st,  I  attended  a  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing in  Hard  wick,  with  a  number  of  preachers.  We 
found  the  professors  of  Christianity  in  that  place,  in  a 
low  and  scattered  condition.  After  singing,  praying, 
exhortations,  and  hearing  some  good  accounts  from 
other  churches,  I  preached  a  sermon  from  Luke  xiv. 
23:  t^ad  the  Lord  said  unto  the  servant^  go  out  into 
the  highways  and  hedges,  and  compel  them  to  come  tn, 
that  my  house  may  be  filled.  There  were  about  five 
distmct  denominations  of  professed  christians  present 
to  hear  me  ;  and  1  did  what  little  I  could,  to  give 
them  their  portions  in  due  season,  and  left  the  event 
with  God.  After  describing  those  hedges,  &c.  I  clos- 
ed, by  expressing  my  ardent  desire,  that  the  work  of 
God  might  be  revived,  in  all  the  professors  of  religion; 
and  that  they  might  all  be  united  in  love.  When  I 
had  done  speaking,  a  number  arose,  one  after  anoth- 
er: some  spake  of  their  joys;  others  confessed  their 
backslidings  and  heart  wanderings.  At  last,  a  good 
old  Presbyterian  minister  arose;  and  after  speaking 
18 


20C  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

some  time,  he  looked  around  .and  said,  "  as  for  these 
hedges^  the  Lord  bring  them  down;  and  the  fire  of 
heaven  burn  them  up!"  and  it  seemed  for  a  htlle 
vvliile  as  if  the  good  old  man's  prayer  was  answered; 
a  spirit  of  prayer,  love  and  harmony,  closed  the  meet- 
ing for  that  day. 

On  the  second  day  of  the  meeting,  the  power  of 
the  Lord  was  remarkably  manifested.  Saints  preach- 
ed, exhorted,  prayed,  and  sung  praises  to  God.  Sin- 
ners trembled,  fell  on  their  knees,  and  cried  to  (jlod 
for  mercy,  liacksliders  confessed  to  God  and  man, 
and  ask^d  forgiveness  of  their  brethren,  whom  they 
had  wounded,  &c.  Next  morning,  after  attending  a 
short  meeting,  I  returned  home.  1  heard  from  Uard- 
wick,  a  few  days  after,  and  understood  that  a  number 
had  experienced  religion  for  the  first  time. 

Sabbath,  Nov.  I4th,  I  preached  in  Wheelock,  ta- 
king my  farewell  of  the  people  in  that  place  for  the 
present.  It  was  a  day,  I  believe,  that  will  long  be  re- 
membered. At  the  close,  we  repaired  to  the  water, 
and  1  baptised  six  persons.  1  had  baptised,  then,  in 
all,  upwards  of  30  persons  in  the  course  of  the  late 
work;  many  of  whom  were  esteemed,  as  people  of 
the  first  character  in  the  town,  and  deservedly  so  in  a 
temporal  view.  There  was  the  most  general  atten- 
tion, and  thfc  least  visible  opposition  in  that  town,  that 
ever  I  saw  in  any  other  town  or  place  that  1  have 
seen.  The  people  in  general  seemed  to  be  deter- 
mined to  behave  themselves  as  well  as  they  could  ; 
and  to  show  themselves  friendly,  to  all  the  friends  of 
the  FKiEND  OF  siNNEUs.  Men  in  autlioiity  in  the 
town,  seemed  to  know  their  places,  and  were  exam- 
ples of  morality  and  piety  to  the  rest.  Their  hearts 
seemed  to  be  open  for  Christ,  and  their  houses  open 
for  his  followers.  O  may  the  Lord  reward  them,  and 
their  names  be  found  written  in  the  Lamb's  book  of 
life,  that  I  may  meet  them  and  enjoy  their  company 
in  the  blessed  mansion*  of  glory. 


LIFE  OF    JOHN   COLBY.  207 

Monday,  Nov.  15th,  I  returned  to  my  father's.  I 
had  now  been  in  Vermont  on  this  visit,  about  four 
months;  had  baptized,  in  the  whole,  forty  persons; 
had  jjreached  about  twelve  funeral  sermons,  besides 
all  my  other  religious  exercises.  And  notwithstand- 
ing my  poor  state  of  health,  I  had  done  about  six 
weeks'  work  with  ray  hands,  chiefly  on  the  meeting 
house,  which  almost  completed  it. 

Tuesday,  Nov.  I6ih,  I  spent  my  time  in  making 
ready  for  my  intended  journey,  which  I  calculated  to 
commence  the  next  morning.  Late  in  the  evening,  a 
man  knocked  at  the  door;  and  when  he  entered  the 
room  to  my  great  surprise,  1  found  him  to  be  a  broth- 
er from  Bnrrilviile,  the  very  place  I  was  about  to  set 
out  for.  The  next  morning,  when  I  came  to  con- 
verse wifh  him,  he  informed  me  that  he  had  come 
with  a  carriage  to  carry  me^to  Rhode  Island.  I  found 
hard  parting  with  my  dear  friends  and  especially  with 
my  brother  Jonathan's  wife,  who  was  in  a  very  low 
state  of  health,  and  expecting  soon  to  change  time 
for  eternity.  But  I  gave  them  all  up  to  the  care  of 
my  heavenly  Shepherd;  and  on 

Wednesday  morning,  Nov.  17th,  I  bid  them  fare- 
well, and  sat  ofi'with  brother  Lee,  for  Rhode  Island, 
between  two  and  three  hundred  miles  distance.  We 
had  some  refreshing  seasons    on  the  way.     And,    on 

Saturday  evening,  Nov.  27,  we  arrived  at  Burril- 
ville.  And  although  I  had  entertained  fears,  lest  sa- 
tan  should  have  got  some  advantage  of  my  brethren 
in  that  place,  I  found  myself  most  agreeably  disap- 
pointed. For  when  I  came  lo  meet  with  them  the 
next  day,  I  found  them  much  more  engaged  in  relig- 
ion, than  I  expected  to  have  found  them  It  appear- 
ed on  the  whole,  that  notwithstandmg  the  opposition 
of  the  world,  and  the  assiduous  efforts  of  sectarians, 
lo  scatter  the  little  flock,  they  were  if  possible,  more 
united  and  engaged,  to  travel  the  s^^l(  denying  and 
cross-bearing  way,  than  they  were  when  I  left  them. 


208  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

In  sliort,  I  found  them  under  good  discipline,  pursu- 
ing the  heavenly  journey,  and  marching  lor  the  city  of 
the  hving  God. 

1  continued  preaching  in  different  parts  of  the  town 
of  Burriville,  and  in  the  adjacent  towns,  night  isnd  day, 
till  the  tenth  of.Ianiiary.  (^n  that  day,  I  sat  out  on  a 
journey  to  visit  the  brethren  in  the  state  of  New- 
ilauipshire.  1  went  l)y  the  way  of  Boston,  Salem, 
Newburyport,  Portsmouth,  &c.  It  being  soon  after 
the  great  fire,  in  the  last  mentioned  place,  1  saw  the 
melancholy  spectacle  of  about  fifteen  acres  of  that 
thickly  settled  town,  all  laid  in  ashes.  And  from  all 
that  1  could  gather,  this  awful  conflagration,  which  had 
destroyed  so  much  property,  and  left  so  many  dis- 
tressed families  without  a  shelter,  in  ihat  inclement 
season,  was  all  occasioned  by  some  designing  person 
or  persons,  who  fired  the  town  for  ?he  sake  of  plun- 
der !  "T  he  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil." 
When  I  beheld  the  ruins,  it  brought  to  my  mind  that 
day,  when  the  heavens  shall  be  rolled  together  like  a 
scroll,  the  elements  melt  with  fervent  heat,  the  earth 
also,  and  the  works  that  are  thertin,  be  burnt  up. — 
Ah!  thought  1,  what  then  will  those  wretches  do  with 
all  their  plunder  .'  When  they  shall  see  a  God,  in 
grandeur,  and  a  world  on  fire,  where  then  will  the 
wretches  hide  ?  Ali!  without  deep  repentance,  they 
must  then  hear  that  doleful  sentence,  Depart  ye  cur- 
sed into  everlasting  fire,  prepared  for  the  devil  and 
his  angels. 

.Leaving  Portsmouth,  I  went  on  to  Pittsfield  ;  and 
on  the  19ih  and  20th  of  January,  I  attended  a  quar- 
terly meeting  in  that  town. 

January  22d  and  23d,  I  attended  another  quarterly 
meeting  in  Sandwich.  After  which  1  went  on  to  Par- 
sonsfield,  and  made  a  viiii  to  Elder  John  Buzzell. — 
And  after  a  solemn  interview  with  him,  1  started  again 
for  llhode  Island.  1  went  by  the  way  of  Meredith, 
JM.  II.     I  stopped  in  that   town,  and  attended   two  or 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  209 

three  meetings,  in  company  with  Eider  John  Knowl- 
ton,  who  had  been  preaching  there;  and  a  very  glori- 
ous work  had  taken  place  under  his  improvement. — 
He  told  me  that  upwards  of  an  hundred  souls  had 
been  hopefully  converted  within  a  few  months,  and 
the  work  was  still  spreading. 

Leaving  Meredith,  1  went  to  Concord  N.H.;  from 
thence  to  Worcester,  Mass. — and  from  thence  to 
Burrilville,  R.  I. 

iSabbath,  January  30th,  I  preached  in  the  meeting- 
house; and  by  information,  found  that  the  work  of  re- 
formation, was  generally  spreading  through  that  region, 
in  almost  all  the  towns,  and  poor  mourning  sinners 
daily  turning  to  the  Lord.  Meetings  were  requested 
in  every  part  of  TJurrilville,  as  well  as  in  many  other 
places.  I  continued  travelling  and  preaching,  and 
baptizing  in  that  region,  through  the  months  of  Feb- 
ruarv  and  March,  and  until  the  11th  of  April.  Du- 
ring this  visit  I  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  a  number 
brought  to  praise  the  Lord,  for  pardoning  mercy,  and 
of  baptizing  upwards  of  twenty  persons.  1  was  sev- 
eral times  called  to  the  house  of  mourning,  durmg  my 
short  stay;  for  it  was  a  sickly,  dying  time  in  R.hode 
Island.  I  was  called  four  days  successively,  to  attend 
funerals.  My  brother  Jonathan  Colby,  made  me  a 
visit  in  the  time,  whose  coming  to  me,  was  like  the 
coming  of  Titus  to  Paul.  He  brought  twelve  letters, 
which  contained  refreshmg  accounts  from  my  friends, 
in  distant  parts.  And  what  added  to  my  joy,  was,  he 
came  to  spend  a  few  weeks  with  me,  in  the  vineyard 
of  the  Lord,  and  to  nrcompany  me  home  to  Vermont. 

Thursday,  April  'dth,  was  the  yearly  fast.  I  preach- 
ed in  the  meeting  house  in  Burrilville,  broke  bread  ta 
the  church,  and  baptised  five  persons.  1  made  an  np- 
pointment  to  be  at  the  same  place  the  next  Sabbath; 
and  it  was  expected  that  Judge  Smith,  and  Judge  Steer, 
with  some  others,  would  be  baptized  on  thnt  day. 

Friday,  I  went  to  preach  in  Scituate,  and  did  not 
18* 


210  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

return  till  Saturday  evening.  When  1  returned,  I  was 
inlbnned  that  Judge  i'miih  was  sick  of  a  lever. 

k-ahbaih,  April  lOtli,  agreeable  to  appoiuinient,  I 
went  to  the  meeting-house,  and  we  had  a  very  soltnin 
and  aii'ecting  season,  lor  feeling  s(mie  weighty  im- 
pressions on  my  mind,  tint  the  Judge  would  not  re- 
cover, 1  addressed  his  friends  who  were  present,  as 
on  a  luneral  occasion.  AVe  then  repaired  to  (he  wa- 
ter. Ijut  Judge  Smith  being  sick,  prevented  his  bap- 
tism; and  Judge  Steer  conclude  d  to  postpone  his  bap- 
tism, till  after  my  return  from  A'ermont.  1  then  bap- 
tized two  young  people,  and  the  exercises  closed  lor 
that  day.  However.  J  would  heie  observe,  that  Judge 
Smith  had  previously  related  his  experience,  and  put 
himself  under  the  care  of  the  church. 

IVieeting  being  ended  I  bid  my  precious  brethren 
farewel'  for  a  season;  and  repaired  to  Judge  Smith's, 
to  take  my  farewell  of  him.  1  found  him  very  sick  ; 
but,  to  the  joy  of  my  heart,  very  much  conipftsed  in 
mind.  After  conversing  with  liim  and  his  family,  1 
bid  him  farewell,  expecting  to  see  him  no  more,  till  I 
should  meet  him  in  that  blissful  world,  where  the  in- 
habitants shall  not  say  they  are  sick, 

Monday,  April  11th,  I  sat  out  for  Vermont,  in  com- 
pany with  my  brother;  and  we  arrived  at  my  father's, 
on  the  26lh  of  the  same  month.  We  were  joylully 
received  by  our  friends,  who  iiad  been  impatiently 
looking  for  us  upwards  of  two  weeks;  and  had  felt 
much  anxiety  about  us,  fearing  that  we  were  sick. — 
But  the  Lord  had  been  merciful  to  us,  and  returned 
us  to  our  friends,  laden  with  the  experience  of  his 
goodness.  However,  I  found  one  of  my  natural  sis- 
ters very  unwell,  and  supposed  to  be  in  a  consump- 
tion.    <3n  this  account,  we  had  a  cup  of  mixture. 

The  Sabbaih  following,  I  pre;  ched  in  Sutton,  and 
found  the  brethren  rather  low  in  their  minds.  'J  he 
next  Sabbath,  I  preached  in  Wheelock,  where  we  had 
a  good  season.      The  brethren  were  well  engaged, 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT.  211 

and  several  had  experienced  religion  in  the  time  of 
my  absence,  and  were  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  be 
baptized. 

Sabbath,  May  loth,  I  preached  again  in  Sutton,  and 
when  I  returned  from  meetmg,  my  father  handed  me 
a  letter,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract  : — 

"  BurrihiUe,  2S  of^pril,  1814. 

"Beloved  brother  in  chuist  — I  take  this  op- 
portunity, agreeable  to  your  request,  to  inform  you  of 
the  death  of  our  friend  aud  brother.  Judge  Smith,  who 
departed  this  life  on  Friday  morning,  at  half  past 
seven,  on  the  15lh  instant.  Elder  Wescot,  and 
Elder  Britt,  were  sent  for  and  both  attended.  Elder 
Eritt  did  not  get  there  till  the  meeting  was  almost 
ended,  in  consequence  of  his  baj)tising  some  that  day. 
Elder  Millard  and  Richard  iMory,  attended,  &c.  Bis 
death  is  most  severely  felt,  by  his  wife  and  eldest 
son.  But  their  sorrows  were  greatly  alleviated,  in 
consequeuce  of  his  leaving  so  bright  an  evidence,  that 
he  died  in  the  Lord.  He  was  so  composed  in  his 
sickness,  that  he  gave  orders  respecting  his  funeral 
and  private  business  He  left  the  world,  in  the  act  of 
solemn  prayer  for  his  family,  and  the  prosperity  of  the 
church.  About  ten  minutes  before  he  died,  he  ex- 
pressed that  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  had  arisen  in 
his  soul,  as  a  light  shining  in  a  dark  jdace.  His  fu- 
neral was  attended  with  great  solemnity  and  respect. 
Ihe  friends  and  neighbours  seemed  desirous  of  show- 
ing their  respect  to  so  worthy  a  man. 

"Ab(ut  fifty  mourners,  in  solemn  procession, 
followed  the  corpse  to  the  tomb  ;  and  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  citizens,  with  the  elders,  followed 
the  procession  to  the  grave  where  there  was  a  prayer 
by  Elder  Wescot.  'Ihey  then  returned  to  the  house 
in  the  same  order. 

*•*  J  must  here  mention  tliat  sister  Smith,  t!io  day 
previous  to  his  death,  experienced  the  power  of  God, 
in  a  remarkable  manner,    to   support   her  under  the 


212  LIFE  OF  John  COLBY. 

great  and  solemn  trial,  she  had  to  pass  through.  She 
was  attending  upon  her  husband  ;  and  the  Spirit  of 
the  l.ord  operated  upon  her  to  that  degree,  that  she 
forgot  her  sorrows  :  and  with  trembhng  limbs,  but 
with  a  strong  voice,  praised  the  Lord  for  his  goodness 
towards  her.  She  expressed  such  an  unusuiil  decree 
of  happiness  as  struck  all  the  beholders  with  aston- 
ishment. We,  as  a  body  of  brethren,  feel  to  mourn 
with  you  the  loss  of  so  great  a  pillar  in  the  Church. — 
But  we  resign  him  up  into  the  hands  of  an  all  wise 
Creator,  believing  that  he  is  row  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  his  labours,  with  his  dear  Redeemer,  \V' e  all  as  a 
church,  stand  fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  hath 
made  us  free.  HENRY  RHODES. 

"  Elder  John  Colby." 

Ey  the  time  I  had  read  this  letter,  my  friends  call- 
ed me  to  supper  ;  but  I  could  not  eat.  My  mind  was 
filled  with  joy  and  mourning.  Joy,  to  hear  thai  he 
was  so  well  composed  in  his  last  moments  : — sorrow 
and  mourning,  when  I  considered  that  1  should  see 
him  no  more  in  time.  I  retired  to  my  chamber  to 
compose  my  mind  ;  and  after  walking  the  floor  a  few 
minutes,  the  case  of  the  widow,  and  fatherless  chil- 
dren, rushed  into  my  mind  ;  and  I  could  no  longer 
refrain  from  tears.  I  then  fell  upon  my  knees,  and 
praved  that  God  would  support  the  mourning  widow, 
and  have  compassion  on  the  fatherless  children  ;  and 
sanctify  the  dispensation  to  all  the  surviving  friends  ; 
that  every  class  might  be  prepared  to  follow  him,  by 
imitating  his  virtues,  and  following  his  examples  ;  es- 
pecially those  of  the  la  t  year  of  his  life  He  was 
frequently  found  in  secret  prayer  ;  was  constant  to 
his  duty  in  his  family  ;  and  often  exalting  the  name  of 
his  Maker  in  public  congregations. 

Sabbath,  Alay  22nd,  1  preached  in  Wheelock  and 
found  the  reformation  still  spreading. 

-May  27ih,  my  sister  Polly  was  brought  home  to  my 
father's,  so  sick  that  she   was    totally    unable  to  help 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  213 

herself.  And  my  brother,  who  helped  to  bring  her 
in,  was  in  one  hour  after,  taken  with  a  fever,  and  con- 
fined to  his  bed. 

May  28ih;  they  continued  very  sick,  and  growing 
worse  fast 

Sabbath,  May  29ih,  we  had  but  little  hopes  of  ei- 
ther. I  conversed  with  them  both,  and  found  them 
well  composed  in  mind.  When  I  entered  the  room 
wliere  my  sister  lay,  she  beckoned  to  me  with  her 
hand,  and  I  went  to  her.  She  then  told  me,  with  a 
whispering  voice,  that  she  enjoyed  divine  consolation, 
and  heavenly  peace  in  her  mind.  1  asked  her  if  she 
thoijo;ht  she  should  get  well.  She  said  it  was  a  mat- 
ter of  doubt  with  her,  whether  she  should  or  not. — 
But,  snid  she,  I  fee!  no  anxiety  about  the  matter  ;  I 
have  given  it  up  to  the  Lord.  Even  when  I  hear  any 
of  the  family  praying  for  my  life,  I  hear  it  with  reluc- 
tance. When  I  look  upon  my  weeping  husband  and 
children,  and  afflicted  parents,  brothers  and  sisters, 
they  all  seem  near  to  me  ;  but  at  the  same  time,  when 
I  turn  my  eyes  away  to  my  blessed  Jesus,  he  looks 
more  glorious  than  they  all.  Then  I  feel  to  say,  that 
for  me  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  would  be  far 
better.  She  wished  me  to  preach  her  funeral  ser 
mon. — She  also  mentioned  the  hymns,  she  chose 
should  be  sung  ;  and  the  passage  of  scripture,  she 
wished  might  be  spoken  from  on  the  occasion.  She 
then  toid  me,  if  I  wished  to  go  to  meeting,  not  to  stay 
on  her  account.  About  this  lime,  a  young  woman 
entered  the  room,  who  had  buried  her  mother  better 
than  a  year  before.  Ending  her  conversation  with  me, 
she  turned  her  wishful  eyes  upon  the  young  woman, 
and  said,  (looking  up  toward  heaven) — "  well  sister 
Polly,  I  am  agoing  to  leave  you  :  what  word  shall  I 
carry  to  your  mother  .''  Shall  I  tell  her  that  you  are 
preparing  to  meet  her  in  glory  .'"'  Her  strength  then 
failed,  she  ceased  to  speak  ;  and  she  spake  no  more 
to  me,  nor  I  to  her,  for  three  days.     I  then  recollec- 


214  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

ting  my  appointment,  resigned  her  up  to  the  Lord, 
and  went  on  to  meeting.  About  this  time,  two  si<il- 
ful  Physicians  came  in;  the  neigiibors  gathered  round, 
and  it  whs  expected  that  she  would  not  hve  the  day 
out.  About  two  o'clock,  they  supposed  that  she  was 
really  dying  But  about  the  time  I  returned  from 
meetmg,  she  revived  a  little.  And  although  she  could 
not  utter  a  word,  yet  her  countenance  bespoke  that 
which  was  unspeakable  by  articulate  sounds.  J'^very 
feature  showed  perfect  composure  and  heavenly  se- 
renity of  mind. 

Monday,  Tuesday,  and  Wednesday,  rolled  away 
without  any  material  alteration. 

Thursday,  it  was  supposed  that  my  brother  was  a 
little  better ;  but  no  alteration  in  her.  I  was  then  so 
fatigued,  that  I  was  scarcely  able  to  sit  up.  Towards 
night,  my  attention  was  called  again  to  my  sister.  I 
found  her  in  extreme  distress.  Her  hands  and  feet 
were  numb,  and  all  the  extremities  growing  cold. — 
We  rubbed  her  with  spirits,  vinegar,  &,c.  for  an  hour 
or  two  ;  after  which,  she  revived  a  little. 

Friday  and  Saturday,  I  grew  more  unwell  myself, 
and  was  able  to  sit  up  but  little.  But  my  brother  and 
sister,  were  supposed  to  be  gaining  health  slowly  ; 
and  by  the  last  of  June,  they  were  considerably  com- 
fortable.    I  remained  myself,  in  a  low  state  of  health. 

Tliursday  June  23d,  i  had  an  appointment  four  or 
five  miles  from  home,  to  which  I  went,  on  the  day 
before  to  attend  it.  But  on  the  day  of  the  appoint- 
ment, about  9  o'clock,  A.  M.  I  was  suddenly  seized 
with  ail  the  symptoms  of  the  raging  epidemic.  Find- 
ing myself  unable  to  attend  the  meeting,  1  returned 
home  and  took  my  bed.  I  was  severely  exercised 
wit!"  pain  for  fourteen  days  :  my  appetite  for  food, 
and  strength  of  body,  seemed  to  be  gone  ;  and  I  con- 
cluded, from  all  my  symptoms,  I  had  nothing  to  look 
for  but  an  approaching  consumption  of  the  lungs,  to 
put  a  period  to  my  mortal    days,   and  finish  my  short 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBT.  215 

race  across  this  little  world.  But  glory  to  God,  I  felt 
a  sweet  calmness  of  iniiid,  and  thought  I  could  give 
up  my  account  with  joy,  and  not  with  grief.  But  as  I 
ever  believed  it  right  to  live  in  the  use  of  means,  I 
made  use  ol  a  few  simple  syrups,  prepared  by  my 
friends,  which  by  the  blessing  of  God,  1  believe  were 
means  of  restoring  me  to  a  measure  of  health  again. — 
I  began  to  amend  about  the  8th  of  July.  Ihe  day 
following,  1  received  a  number  of  refreshing  letters 
from  my  friends  in  Rhode-Island  ;  and  I  found  the 
words  of  the  wise  man  true  :  "  as  cold  water  to  a 
thirsty  soul,  so  is  good  news  from  a  far  country." — 
Each  letter  seemed  lo  be  like  a  healing  cordial  to  me. 
Even  my  body  seemed  to  be  strengthened,  while  I 
read  of  the  jirosperity  of  Zion,  and  of  the  flourishing 
state  of  the  cause  of  Christ,  in  Rhode-Island.  Omay 
the  work  spread  through  all  the  United  States,  as  it 
has  through  that  State,  within  a  short  time,  till  they 
are  all  united  to  seek  and  serve  the  Lord  ;  and  the 
same  union  spread  through  all  the  world,  till  all  na- 
tions shall  call  Jesus  bless'd  and  crown  him  whom  the 
father  hath  crowned  and  set  upon  his  holy  hill  of  Zion; 
and  join  with  the  ancient  spouse,  and  say,  He  is  alto- 
gether lovely.  This  opinion  is  prevailing  more  or 
less  in  all  quarters  of  the  world.  The  bible  is  gone, 
and  is  still  going,  among  all  nations  ;  cutting  its  way, 
like  a  two  edged  sword,  and  containing  the  news  of 
])eace  and  pardon  to  the  distressed  isles.  The  pow- 
erful arguments  which  are  therein  contained,  with  re- 
gard to  our  Saviour's  mission  into  the  world,  never 
have  nor  never  will,  be  confuted  by  wicked  men  nor 
devils.  For  devils  themselves  were  subject  to  him  in 
bodily  presence  ;  and  said  to  him;  in  the  person  of 
the  man  |)os3essed,  I  know  thee  who  thou  art,  the 
holy  one  of  God.  Wicked  men,  in  all  generations, 
have  trembled  before  the  Son  of  God,  and  have  had 
some  realizing:  sense  of  that  solemn  truth,  That  at 
the  name  of  Jesus,  every  knee  shall   bow,    ^'C.     And 


216  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBy. 

finally,  some  of  the  greatest  heathen  philosophers, 
have  written  largely  on  the  snhject  of  Christ's  coming 
into  the  world.  1  have  been  much  pleased  in  read- 
ing some  of  their  accounts  of  tiiis  extraordinary  per- 
son ;  and  to  see  what  an  exalted  opinion  they  liad  of 
the  man, 'called  the  king  of  the  Jews,  the  son  oj  God., 
Slc.  For  ahhougli  iliey  refused  to  worship  him,  yet 
they  were  constrained  to  acknowledge,  that  ihe  histo- 
ry of  ages,  could  not  produce  another  such  an  extra- 
ordinary man.  Publius  Letitulus,  gave  a  minute  de- 
scription of  his  personal  beauties,  and  of  his  extraor- 
dinary demeanour,  as  well  as  of  his  miraculous  deeds, 
while  he  (Christ)  was  personally  upon  earth,  preach- 
ing and  working  miracles  among  the  Jews.  In  a  let- 
ter to  the  senate  of  Rome,  while  the  same  Tublius 
Lentulus  was  (iovernor  of  Judea,  and  Tiberius  Cae- 
sar was  Emperor,  he  caused  the  same  intelligence  to 
be  published  throughout  all  the  provinces  of  the  Ro- 
man empire.  Dr  Wright,  in  his  Life  of  Christ, 
quotes  the  same,  p.  266  ;  which  he  says  was  trans- 
lated from  the  original  manuscript  in  the  following 
words  : — 

"  'Ihere  appeared  in  these  our  days,  a  man  ol  great 
virtue,  named  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  yet  amongst  us, 
and  of  the  Gentiles,  is  accepted  as  a  Prophet  of 
truth  ;  but  by  his  own  disciples,  called  the  son  of 
GOD.  He  raiseth  the  dead,  and  cureth  all  manner  of 
diseases.  A  man  of  stature  somewhat  tall,  and  come- 
ly ;  with  a  very  reverend  countenance  ;  such  as  the 
beholder  may  both  love  and  fear.  His  liair  is  of  the 
colour  of  a  filbert  full  ripe,  and  j)lain  almost  down  to 
his  ears  ;  but  from  his  ears  downward,  somewhat 
curled,  more  orient  of  colour,  and  waving  about  his 
shoulders.  In  the  midst  of  his  head,  goeth  a  seam  or 
partition  of  his  hair,  alter  the  manner  of  the  Nazar- 
ites.  His  forehead  is  very  plain  and  smooth:  his 
face  without  spot  or  wrinkle,  beautified  with  comely 
red.     His  nose  and  mouth,  so  formed,  as  nothing  can 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBIT.  217 

be  reprehended.  Ilis  beard  somewhat  thick, agreeing 
it)  col(Hir  to  the  hair  of  his  head,  not  of  any  great 
length,  but  furked  in  the  midst,  and  of  an  innocent 
mature  look.  His  eyes  gray,  clear,  and  quick.  In 
reproving,  he  is  terrible  ;  and  in  admonishing,  court- 
eous and  lair  spoken,  pleasant  in  si)eech,  mixed  with 
gravity.  It  cannot  be  remembered  that  any  luive  seen 
him  l;iugh  ;  hut  many  have  seen  him  weep.  In  pro- 
portion of  body,  well  sliaped  and  straight  ;  his  hands 
and  arms,  right  delectable  to  behold.  In  speaking, 
very  temperate,  modest  and  wise.  A  man  lor  singu- 
lar uf^auty,  surpassing  the  children  o(  men." 

This  biographical  sketch,  given  of  Jesus  Ch.iist,  by 
the  Governor  of  Judea,  corresponds  very  well  with 
the  description  given  of  him,  by  the  ancient  inspired 
writers.,  as  recorded  in  Solomon's  Songs,  the  books 
of  the  Prophets,  and  the  history  siven  of  him  by  the 
Evangelists,  and  his  immediate  followers. 

His  worth  if  all  the  nations  knew, 

Sure  the  whole  world  would  love  him  too. 

But  to  return  to  my  narrative,  I  continued  slowly 
to  rv^cover  my  health,  till  the  latter  part  of  Jul}'  ;  at 
which  time,  through  the  superabounding  "goodness  of 
God,  I  was  enabled  to  preach  a  few  times.  I  also 
visited  the  churches  in  the  adjacent  towns,  broke 
bread  to  them,  and  baptized  a  number. 

Aug.  3d,  1814,  being  convinced  that  1  had  finished 
my  labours  in  that  region  for  that  time,  I  gave  iha 
partiiii!;  hand  again  to  my  |)arents,  loving  brethren  and 
dear  Iriends  in  Vermont,  and  sat  off  for  the  District 
oi  Maine,  in  company  with  my  cousin,  B.  C.  Atvvood, 
of  T'orthnid.  We  passed  through  the  notch  of  the 
White  hills  ;  and  on  the  next  Saturday  night,.  6ih  of 
August,  we  arrived  at  Goiham,  and  were  kindly  re- 
ceived and  entertained  by  the  brethren  there. 

Sabbath,    Aug.    7ih,    1    went    into    Portland,   and 
preached  in  the   afternoon.     And  although  I  was  yet 
19 


218  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLEY. 

feeble  in  body,  I  was  better  in  healili  than  I  wiiswlirn 
1  lelt  borne.  J  contiiined  in  town  ilirouiilj  the  week, 
and  preticbed  there  .ig.iin  on  the  next  &al)baih,  I4lh 
of  August.  Hnt  finding  my  constiuition  so  slender, 
my  appetite  so  [)0or,  and  my  sioinach  and  lungs  so  ex- 
iremely  weak,  1  thought  ii  might  be  dniy  to  retu'e 
iron)  preaching,  a  short  time,  and  take  a  short  voyage 
at  sea.  And  having  also  the  advice  oi"  my  friends, 
who  thouglit  it  iriight  contribute  nuicli  to  my  healih,  I 
vent  on  board  a  small  schooner,  bound  to  the  east- 
ward ;  and  on  August  l6ih,  being  bivoureri  with  a 
fair  wind  we  set  sail.  I  was  very  seasick  all  day. — 
At  evening:,  we  put  in  at  Hath,  (mouth  of  the  Kenne- 
bec,) where  we  tarried  the  next  day  and  evening.  I 
attended  one  meeting  in  the  place,  in  which  I  (ound  a 
good  degree  of  satisfaction. 

The  next  day,  leaving  L'ath  we  proceeded  toPooth- 
bay  ;  from  thence  to  Mount  Desert,  and,  so  on  to 
?kJachias  and  Liiile-river  ;  and  (rem  thence  to  Gran- 
manan,  where  I  pleached  on  fc'abbaih  day,  Aug.  28ih, 
to  an  attentive  concourse  of  people.  Granmanan,  is 
an  island  belonging  to  the  Br-ilisli,  and  lying  on  the 
i'assamaquoddy  L'ay.  It  contains  about  60  or  70 
families.  They  informed  me  that  there  had  not  been 
a  sermon  preached  on  the  island  for  three  years.  I 
was  also  told,  that  ihey  had  not  heard  a  prayer,  some 
of  ihem,  for  five  years.  O  m.ay  the  Lord  of  the  har- 
vest, send  some  faithful  laborers  to  that  island,  to 
preach  Christ's  gospel  to  its  inhabitants,  and  to  show 
lo  them  the  way  of  life  and  salvation  ;  for  1  think  it 
is  one  of  the  "  isles   that  wait  for  liis  law." 

Aug.  31st,  I  left  (iranmnnan,  and  we  shaped  our 
course  westward.  I  preached  the  first  Fabbath  in 
September,  at  ]\Toosbe«ky  Reach  ;  and  on  the  1 3th 
of  the  same  month,  I  arrived  at  Portland,  having  been 
gone  about  four  vvei  k?.  1  felt  my  heart  filled  with 
gratitude  to  God,  ("or  liis  distitiguisled  goodness  to  me, 
in  preserving  my  life,  and   safely   returning  me  to  my 


LIFE  OF    JOHN    COLBV.  219 

friends  in  tliat  town.  Our  voyage  was  attended  with 
some  clangers.  On  our  passage  out,  we  siruck  a 
Jedjie,  wliere  we  lay  eight  or  ten  hours,  until  high 
water  floating  us  ag;iin.  Ha<i  there  been  a  heavy  sea, 
we  shouiii  in  all  |)n)bability  have  been  lost  ;  but  he 
who  c;)rnniands  the  winds  and  the  sea,  suffered  not 
the  [noud  waves  to  ovei whelm  us.  It  being  also  a 
time  of  war,  and  many  of  the  enemies'  cruisers  on  tlie 
eastern  coast  at  the  same  lime,  we  considered  our- 
selves in  danger  every  hour,  of  being  captured,  and 
carried  to  Halifax  or  to  England  But  he  whogaili- 
ers  the  lambs  with  his  arm,  and  carries  them  in  his 
bosons,  carried  us  safely  as  in  time  of  peace.  On  my 
passage  homeward,  I  was  in  an  open  boat,  at  sea  ; 
audit  being  very  squally,  and  blowing  a  heavy  gale, 
it  was  thought  that  our  little  boat  could  not  live  above 
water.  But  it  pleased  him,  who  aj^peared  to  his  dis- 
tiessed  disciples,  when  in  similar  circumstances,  and 
calmed  the  raging  sea,  to  preserve  and  bring  us  safe  to 
land.  It  28-  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord-,  than  lo  put  eon- 
fidence  in  man.  It  is  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord,  than 
to  j)ut  confidence  in  princes. 

Finding  my  health  somewhat  improved  by  the  lata 
voyage,  and  feeling  my  strength  renewed,  both  in  bodv 
and  ujind  ;  after  making  a  short  visit  at  Portland,  and 
Gorham  I  sat  off"  for  Rhode-Island,  Saturday  morning, 
17th  of  S'ej)t.  I  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  on  Sab- 
bath day  morning,  by  ihe  lime  the  bells  rung  for  meel- 
ing  ;  difitancje  about  60  miles.  I  hasted  to  a  meeiing- 
liuuse,  where  I  heard  one  sermon,  and  preached  an- 
other. I  found  the  people  greatly  alarmed  on  ac- 
count of  an  expected  attack  by  a  British  fleet,  which 
at  that  time  lay  off  the  harbor.  The  militia  were 
coming  in  by  regiments,  from  every  quarter,  and  great 
preparations  were  making  to  give  the  enemy  a  waria 
reception,  in  case  of  an  invasion.  But  my  most 
fervent  desire  was  sent  to  the  tlirone  of  grace,  that 
llie  effusion  of  human  blood  might  be  prevented  ;  and 


220  LIFE  or  JOHNCOLBT. 

ll)at  fill  contendinc  nations,  might  strive  only  for  the 
things  ihat  make  for  peace. 

Mc^nday,  i^^ept.  lOiii,  1  left  Porf?nnoir.h,  and  wrnt 
to  kSalem  ;  on  Tuesday,  to  l;ost(>n  ;  on  Wednesdry 
to  Providence.  On'lhursday,  1  arrived  at  Rurrilville: 
and  on  Hatnrday,  and  ^'abl)alh  following,  1  aiiended  a 
quarterly  Meeting  in  that  town,  which  I  had  |)revi()ns- 
]y  appointed.  At  this  meeting,  I  had  the  happiness 
of  seeing  a  few  preachers  from  difl'erent  states,  and  a 
large  nnmher  of  loving  eng:iged  brethren,  and  sisters, 
from  diflerent  towns.  It  would  be  almost  impossible, 
to  describe  the  joys  I  felt  at  meeting  the  happy  con- 
verts in  Pvhode-lfeland,  and  to  see  them  so  generally 
engaged  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  Our  meeting  was 
truly  refreshing,  from  beginning  to  end  :  the  woik 
began  to  revive  afresli  ;  doors  were  opened  for 
preaching  on  every  hand  ;  and  he  who  opened  the 
doors,  enabled  Rie  to  preach  day  and  night.  Crowds 
of  people  flocked  to  hear  the  word  ;  and  the  prospects 
at  every  meeting,  appeared  very  encouraging  :  sinners 
mourning,  and  saints  praying  and  rejoicing.  The 
work  of  the  I^ord  spread  particularly  in  the  towns  of 
Burrilville,  (ilouce^ter  and  Smithfield.  I  attended 
sometimes  six,  sometimes  ten,  and  sometimes  twelve 
meetings,  in  a  week  ;  and  saw  more  or  less  of  God's 
goodness  in  every  meeting.  A  goodly  number  fol- 
lowed Christ  in  baptism.  The  work  beean  in  Clou- 
cester,  early  in  the  fall,  and  spread  g'oriously  till  the 
fore  part  of  winter. 

•Ian.  1st,  1815,  was  a  remarkable  pleasant  day.  I 
enjoyed  great  con)posure  of  mind,  joyfully  hailed  the 
New  Year  and  thanked  God,  that  he  had  let  me  Mve 
to  see  the  beginning  of  it  This  was  a  first  day  in- 
deed :  for  it  was  the  first  day  of  the  week,  first  day  of 
the  m(jnth,  and  first  day  of  the  year.  We  met  that 
day  at  lUirrilville  meeting-house,  where  a  large  con- 
gregation attended.  I  preached  from  Isaiah  xi.  10.-; 
.%Q.nd  ia  that  day  there  shall  he   a  root  of  Jesse,  ichich 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  221 

shall  stand  for  an  ensign  of  the  people  ;  to  it  shall  the 
Gentiles  seek  :  and  his  rest  shall  be  glorious  I  think 
I  can  say,  without  ihe  last  exaggeration  that  we  wit- 
nessed the  fulfihnent  of  that  gracious  promise,  througli 
all  the  exercises  of  the  day.  And  to  close  the  heav- 
enly scene,  a  very  large,  respectable,  humble,  happy 
loving,  united  body  of  brethren  and  sisters,  surroun- 
ded their  Father's  table,  and  commemorated  the  suf- 
ferings of  him,  who  was  dead  and  is  alive,  and  lives 
forevermore.  This  was  a  New-Year's  day  to  many 
souls,  that  never  will  be  forgotten. 

I  continued  preaching  in  that  region,  until  the  10th 
of  January.  On  that  day,  I  attended  the  funeral  of 
Deacon  Ballard's  wife,  and  preached  a  sermon  to  a 
crovv-ded,  weeping  assembly  of  relatives  and  friends. 
When  the  mournlul  procession  was  formed,  I  left 
them  to  follow  her  remains  to  the  silent  grave,  and  re- 
paired tD  my  lodgings,  to  prepare  for  a  journey  to 
New-Hampshire. 

Jan.  11th,  I  sat  off;  and  on  Jan  14th,  I  arrived  at 
Weare,  where,  by  a  previous  appointment,  I  met  my 
father  and  mother,  and  one  of  my  brothers.  This 
being  the  place  of  my  mother's  nativity,  and  her  pa- 
rents being  yet  living,  it  added  much  to  our  happiness, 
and  made  our  n)eeting  inexpressibly  jf'yf'il-  Howev- 
er, the  thoughts  of  soon  parting  again,  mixed  a  few 
tears  with  our  joy.  I  tarried  only  two  days  in  the 
place,  and  preached  two  sermons  :  one  at  my  grand- 
father Atwood's,  and  the  other  at  the  house  of  Elder 
H.  D.  Buzzell,  a  minister  who  resides  in  that  town. 
I  then  took  my  leave  of  my  parents,  grand-parents, 
brother,  uncles,  aunts,  cousins,  and  my  dear  brethren 
in  Christ,  and  sat  my  face  towards  llhode-lsland  ; 
and  by  the  mercy  of  (lod,  arrived  at  Burrilville,  ou 
the  19th  of  January.  I  continued  preaching  at  my 
usual  places,  in  the  before  mentioned  towns,  and  oc- 
casionally in  some  other  places,  through  the  winter. 
And  the  reformation  continued  to  spread,  especially 
19* 


222  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

in  Clouccster.  Many  were  sincerely  seeiking  after 
religioni  and  diligenily  inquiring,  wlial  they  shuuhl  do 
to  be  saved. 

J'.'aily  in  the  spring,  tiie  news  of  peace  between  the 
United  ^Jtatcs  and  Urcat  Jh'itain,  was  jjrc-claimed  in 
America.  And  wiien  the  oflicial  accounts  of  the 
treaty  reached  Rhode-Island,  the  iegishitnre  ol"  that 
State,  proclaimed  a  day  of  thanksgiving,  which  was 
holden  on  the  IGth  of  Aiarch.  Our  nieel-ing  on  that 
occasion  was  holdCn  at  Gloucester.  About  120  i)reth- 
ren  accompanied  me  from  Ikarilville  to  the  meeting 
where  we  had  a  glorious  tlianksgiving.  We  Ibund 
that  the  attention  was  great  in  (Jloucester  ;  the  relc^r- 
mation  was  spreading,  opposition  tailing ,  party  spirit 
dying  ;  and  brotherly  love,  union,  and  harmony  among 
professors,  prevailmg.  At  a  conference  meeting 
holden  in  lliat  town,  about  tvveiiiy  peisons  s|)ake  of 
the  goodness  of  God  to  their  souls  ;  the  greater  part 
of  them  were  persons  who  had  experienced  the  for- 
giveness of  their  sins,  in  the  late  relorn)ation.  Doctor 
Peckham,  Major  Burhngame,  CaiU.  Steer,  and  their 
wives,  were  among  the  number;  and  many  others,  of 
the  first  class  in  town,  had  either  experienced  leligion, 
or  were  earnestly  seeking  alter  it.  In  the  monih  of 
April,  and  fore  part  of  Aiay,  a  number  were  baptized 
in  Gloucesler  and  Sinithfield,  and  sonie  in  Jiurrilviile) 

On  the  Sabbath,  April  1 6th,  1  j)reached  at  Glou- 
cester; and  at  the  close  of  tiie  meeting.  1  baptized 
two;  the  one  a  man  between  70  and  80  years  of  age; 
the  other  about  18.  In  the  one,  1  beheld  an  emblem 
of  a  most  beautil'ul  morning,  with  a  j)leasing  prospect 
of  an  afrreeable  day.  In  the  other,  an  emblem  of  a 
serene  atmosphere,  with  a  settinnj  sun  with  smiles,  and 
by  his  declining  golden  rays,  leaving  a  dewy  blessing 
on  all  the  leaves  behind  him,  and  promising  a  pleasant 
night.  Among  all  the  things  which  1  have  seen  under 
the  sun,  there  has  nothing  so  ravished  my  hi^art,  as  to 
see  young   converts,  inquiring  the    way  to  Zion,  with 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  223 

tlseir  faces  thitherward  ;  and  old  hoary  headed  saints 
ready  to  be  (jflered,  f)repared  to  meet  their  Cod,  and 
patiently  waiting  till  their  change  conies.  I  also  bap- 
tized a  woman  2S  years  of  age,  who  had  lost  tlie 
power  of  speaking,  and  had  not  spoken  a  word  for 
eight  years.  She  told  her  experience  by  signs.  The 
brethren  also  who  w'ere  acquainted  with  her,  told  many 
things  which  they  knew  relative  to  her  conviction 
and  conversion.  All  present  were  satisfied  that  she 
had  exj)erienced  a  saving  change. 

Sabbath,  April  30th,  I  preached  at  Gloucester; 
and  in  the  evening,  heard  that  there  was  a  letter  in  the 
post  office,  directed  to  me,  staled  with  a  black  seal. 
1  concluded  it  contained  heavy  news,  and  immediately 
lo'oked  to  God  for  grace  to  sup])Oit  me,  in  whatev- 
er trial  I  should  have  to  endure.  After  I  retired,  I 
felt  convinced  that  the  letier  was  fiom  ^v'ermont,  and 
felt  a  reluctant  anxiety  to  know  its  contents. 

Monday  morning,  1  arose  early,  and  walked  to, the 
post  office,  as  if  travelling  to  the  grave.  As  soon  as 
1  saw  the  direction  on  the  letter,  I  knew  it  to  be  the 
band  wriiing  of  my  brother  Jonathan.  I  returned  to 
Esq  Armstrong's,  the  place  of  my  lodging,  retired  by 
myself,  and  opened  my  letter.  W  hde  unfolding  it,  I 
felt  as  if  turning  up  the  lid  of  a  coffin,  and  unfolding 
the  winding  sheet,  to  view,  for  the  last  time,  the  pate 
visage  of  a  dear  friend,  on  whom  voracious  death  had 
laid  his  cruel  and  relentless  hands,  levied  his  execu- 
tion, and  finislied  his  dread  office!  As  soon  as  the 
letter  was  unfolded,  my  eager  eyes  began  to  trace  the 
solemn  lines. 

Extract  of  I  he  Letier. 
"Sutton,  (Vt.)   Ajiril  8,  1815. 

"  Once  more,  by  the  leave  of  divine  jirovidi^ncc,  I 
am  pern)il(ed  to  address  m)'  iiroiher  John,  whom  I 
love  in  the  Lord,  and  vvhf)m  1  have  so  often  congrat- 
ulated with  [)leasiire,  by  wriiing,  when  distance  forbade 
us  the  inestimable  [)rivilege  of  (;onversing  face  to  face. 


224  LIFE  OF  John  coLBi. 

But  while  I  writo,  it  is  with  a  irenihhng  hand,  and  e- 
niotion  of  heartfeU-sorrow,  while  1  conteinplate  the 
subject  on  which  I  must  address  you.  Once  more 
ihe  pale  horse,  and  his  rider,  death,  have  made  rap 
id  profiress  in  Vermont.  The  pestilence  that  walkeih 
in  darkness,  and  makes  waste  at  noon  day,  i)as  been, 
and  is  now  solemnly  witnessed  in  this  norihern  clime. 
But  shall  I  record  the  death  of  some  of  our  near  con- 
nexions ?  Surely,  I  must!  Put  on  fortitude,  my 
brother,  while  you  read  my  letter: — for  with  a  degree 
of  reluctance,  1  must  inform  you,  that  the  voice  of 
our  amiable  and  beloved  sister  Polly  Blake,  is 
heard  no  more  in  the  land  of  the  living — she  is  gone 

the  way  of  all  the   earth.     But   is  it  })ossible  .'"' 

Here  1  paused — for  notwithstanding  ail  my  fortitude, 
and  the  cautionary  mode  of  my  brother's  introduction, 
I  could  not  witlistand  the  stroke,  nor  refrain  from 
tears,  when  I  found  that  my  dear  sister  Polly  had 
closed  her  eyes  in  death,  and  that  I  should  hear  her 
voice  no  more  upon  earth.  O  how  unexpected  was 
the  news!  The  last  time  I  heard  from  her,  she  was 
in  good  health.  It  was  several  minutes,  before  1  could 
compose  my  mind  enough  to  finish  reading  the  letter. 
While  1  gave  vent  to  natural  fe-jlings  and  passions,  a 
multitude  of  dismal  thoughts  rushed  into  my  mind, 
such  as  the  following: — liere  I  am  in  this  distant 'and, 
in  this  lonely  room,  with  not  a  father,  mother,  nor  sis- 
ter, to  weep  with  me;  doomed  to  bear  inone  mom.'^nf, 
what  the  wliole  family  bore  through  all  the  days  of 
her  sickness,  death,  and  burial.  O  could  1  have  l)ut 
been  with  her,  in  her  last  sickness;  have  heard  her 
dying  words,  and  had  them  recorded  as  on  the  tal)le 
of  my  heart!  But,  recovering  myself,  I  refrained  and 
read  on;  and,  after  reading  a  particular  account  of  the 
distressing  sickness  of  the  family  (which  seems  to  be 
too  long  to  insert  here,)  I  came  to  the  following 
words:  "  Sister  Blake  continued  to  grow  worse  eve- 
ry day,  until  the    fourth  day   of  her  sickness,  at  seven 


LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBT.  225 

o'clock  in  the  evening, which  was  the  last  day  of  March. 
She  expired,  sensible  oj  her  departure;  and  with  chris- 
tian fortitude,  triumphed  over  death.  Wliile  she  saw 
the  blood  setthiie:  under  her  finger  nails,  she  said  she 
rejoiced  at  the  tokens  of  deatii,  tiiat  she  should  soon 
be  at  rest.  And  what  is  still  more  remarkable,  she 
gave  particular  directions,  relative  to  her  funeral,  sev- 
eral days  before  she  was  taken  sick.  Brother  Blake 
bore  his  trials  with  remarkable  fortitude,  considering 
the  deliility  of  his  bodv.*  He  was  ineasurably  re- 
covered from  his  sickness;  also  the  little  girls;  but 
little  John  remains  quite  low;  and  it  is  very  doubtful 
whether  he  will  ever  recover."  &c. 

The  above  paragraph  in  the  letter,  sweetened  to 
me  the  bitter  cup  of  affliction,  and  measurably  dried 
up  my  tears.  And  notwitlistanding  the  deep  morrn- 
ing  1  felt  for  the  company  and  usefulness  of  my  dear 
sister,  and  the  sympathy  I  had  with  her  husband  and 
cliildren,  parents,  and  other  relatives  in  Vermont,  I 
ieit  to  resign  her  up  to  the  Lord;  and  said: — 

How  bless'd  is  our  sister,  bereft 
Of  all  that  could  burden  her  mind; 

How  easy  the  soul  that  has  left 
This  wearisome  body  behind. 
A  thought  that  she  was  freed  from  sin  and  sorrow, 
that  she  now  lives  in  glory,  and  shall  forever  dwell 
wittj  the  Lord,  afforded  me  unspeakable  consolation. 
My  brother  closed  his  letter,  by  giving  me  a  particu- 
lar account  of  the  many  that  were  sick,  and  of  a  num- 
ber that  had  died  with  that  raging  disorder,  the  spot- 
ted fever,  at  that  season:  by  stating  to  me  the  assur- 
ance of  his  own  faith  in  the  glorious  Redeemer,  and 
recommending  a  state  of  resignation  to  the  dispensa- 
tions of  providenite.  Jl^d  I  time,  I  would  give  ray 
readers  the  copies  of  some  of  the  last  letters  that  my 

*Her  husband;  and  three  children,  had  been  sick  with  the 
.same  disorder,  during  her  illness. 


22(>-  LIKK  OF  JOHN   COI.DY. 

sister  wrolo.  But  it  must  siifTicf,  to  close  lliis  sub- 
ject, just  to  uieulini),  that  the  hist  lellrr  she  ever  wrote 
to  lue,  she  closoti  with  ilie  (ollowinjj;  words  :  "  Ire- 
main  your  s/.s/cr,  Folly  Blake,  and  sister  in  tkc 
bonds  of  christian  union.^^     And  then  added, 

"  Our  distant  bodies  may  remove, 
But  notliing  shall  divide  our  love." 

The  Lord  j;iveth,  and  iht  J.ord  takelh  away,  and  bless- 
ed be  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

May  7th,  being  Sabbath,  I  preached  at  Smithfield, 
where  we  had  a  very  solemn  meeiiiig;  we  closed  the 
solemnity, by  administering  and  partaking  of  the  Lord's 
Sup|)ep. 

Saturday  and  Sabbath  day  being  the  LSih  and  Llth 
of  May,  I  attended  nieeiinsr  at  I5ni-rilvills  ineetina:- 
house.  'J'hree  preaciiers  Iroin  the  disirict  of  Maine, 
attended  with  me.  Two  of  ihcm, Elder  (leorge  Lamb, 
and  Croiiier  Joseph  White  came  with  a  view  ol  preach- 
ing in  that  state  through  the  summer.  Our  meeting 
on  the  Sabbatii,  was  very  much  crowded,  and  very 
solemn.  At  the  close  of  this  meeting,  I  baptized 
Capt.  Samuel  Steer,  of  Gloucester,  and  t\vo  others; 
who.  I  hope,  will  liecome  pillars  in  the  tem|)le  of  (iod, 
to  go  no  more  out.  After  this,  1  took  my  leave  of 
the  brethren.     And,  on 

Monday,  May  15th,  I  sat  off  for  Vermont.  Rut 
goin^;  by  the  way  of  Providence  Jjoston,  ]^ortsmouili, 
Portland,  CJorham,  Parsonfield.  Sandwich,  &c.  it  made 
my  journey  somewhat  circuitous;  and  1  was  nearly  a 
month  in  performing  it  Yet  I  did  not  consider  my 
time  lost;  for  as-  I  went,  I  preached;  and  had  the  priv- 
ilege of  attendirig  a  yearly  meeting  in  Sandwich, which 
Was  holden  on  the  Second  Saturday  in  June,  and  the 
Sabbath  and  Monday  following. 

1  arrived  at  my  lather's  house,  in  Vermont,  on  the 
I5(h  of  June,  having  been  absent  nearly  11  months. 
I  found  my  relations  all  in  tolerable  health,  except  my 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLEF.  227 

brother  Jesse,  n  youth  who  was  taken  sick  of  a  fever, 
early  in  the  spring  ;  the  disorder  settled  in  one  of  his 
knees^  and  produced  a  distressing  fever  sore;  so  that 
for  several  weeks  before  my  arrival,  his  hie  had  been 
despaired  of. 

The  fiist  Sabbath  after  my  return  to  Vermont,  I  at- 
tended meeting  at  Danville;  the  second,  or  last  Sab- 
bath in  June,  at  Sutton.  The  first  Sabbath  in  July, 
at  9  o'clock  in  the  niornmg,  I  preached  at  Wells-Jliv- 
er:  at  1  in  the  afternoon  at  JXewbury,  (V't.)  and  at  5 
P.  M.  at  Havei'hill  Corner,  N.  H.  1  enjoyed  the  di- 
vine presence,  through  the  day;  and  had  a  solemn 
season  in  every  meeting  and  hoped  that  my  labours 
might  be  productive  of  some  good.  I  returned  home 
fatigued;  and  continued  preaching  In  Sutton,  and  the 
towns  adjoining,  as  much,  as  m}'  health  would  admit 
of,  till  tile  latter  part  of  Jidy.  At  this  lime,  my  sto- 
mach had  become  so  weak,  my  lungs  so  burdened, 
and  the  cough  upon  me  was  s:>  troublesome  and  dis- 
tressing, that  1  was  constrained  to  lake  my  bed. — 
About  the  first  of  August,  I  began  to  spit  blood,  and 
raised  larger  quantities  than  ever  I  had  done  before, 
which  I  considered  a  bad  omen.  [  c^jntinued  bleed- 
ing fiom  my  lungs,  for  several  days,  till  my  strength 
was  nearly  exhausted,  and  my  physuMans  and  friendsj 
considered  me  in  the  last  stage  of  consumption.  About 
the  same  lime.,  the  doctor,  wlio  lived  in  the  house, 
and  had  the  care  of  my  brother  Jesse,  was  taken  down 
with  the  fever  also.  My  two  sisters,  who  lived  at 
home,  were  seized  with  the  same  coniplaint,  and  my 
youngest  brother  uas  taken  down  with  the  rheuma- 
tisin.  There  were  then  six  in  the  family  who  needed 
watchers;  and  my  mother  at  the  same  time,  wrs 
sciircely  able  to  keep  about.  With  regard  to  myself 
it  was  thought  by  my  physicians,  that  1  should  close 
this  mortal  scene  in  a  very  lew  days.  In  this  situation 
I  was  brought  to  close  examination;  and  upon  the  tri- 
al, felt  great  composure  of  mind.     Here  i  was  made 


228  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

to  realize  the  apostle's  words,  "  our  light  affliction, 
which  is  but  for  a  inonient,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  vveiglu  of  glory;  while  we  look 
not  at  the  things  which  are  seen,  but  at  the  things 
which  are  not  seen."  For  1  felt  assurance,  that  if 
this  earthly  house  of  my  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  I 
had  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made  wiih  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens.  However,  it  pleased  (sod,  af- 
tf!r  refining  me  awhile  in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  to 
bring  me  tbrlh  of  it,  and  spare  me  a  little  longer — f. 
hope,  by  his  grace  assisting  me,  fcjr  further  uselulness 
in  his  blessed  service.  For  m  about  two  weeks,  1  so 
far  recovered  my  health,  that  I  was  able  to  do  without 
watciiers;  and  so  were  all  the  family,  excepting  my 
brother  Jesse. 

The  mount  of  danger  is  the  place, 

Where  we  receive  surprising  grace. 

I  continued  to  gain  strength  slowly,  through  the 
month:  towards  the  last  of  which.  I  was  able  to  fit- 
tend  a  fi-nv  meetings;  I  also  baptized  7  or  8  persons, 
and  had  refreshing  seasons  with  the  brethren.  I  novf 
began  to  look  to  the  Lord  for  duly,  and  found  my 
mind  drawn  to  ilhode-Islnnd.  1  began  to  muster  up 
resolution,  prayed  to  God  for  strength,  and  prepared 
for  the  journey. 

Aug.  30th,  sat  off,  leaving  all  my  friends  in  Ver- 
,mont;  and  the  hardest  of  all  was,  to  leave  my  poor 
brotlier  .Jesse,  still  confined,  and  in  great  distress. — 
But  I  left  him  with  my  blessed  Master,  who  does  all 
tilings  well;  and  who,  if  he  please,  is  able  to  cure  all 
manner  of  sicknesses,  and  all  manner  ol  diseases. 

When  I  got  to  Portland,  I  found  myself  very  much 
fatigued  and  overcome  with  my  journey;  so  that  I  be- 
gan to  have  some  fears  that  1  should  not  be  able  to 
finish  it.  As  riding  on  horse-back,  tended  to  weaken 
my  stomach,  and  increase  my  cough,  I  purchased  me 
a  convenient    chaise,  and   then  went  on  much    more 


LIFK   OF    JOHN  COLBV.  229 

comfortably  than  before.  When  I  got  to  brother 
Baker's,  in  Soineisworth,  N.  H.  bv  previous  aj)|)oint- 
nieiit,  I  met  with  EhJer  John  Buzz-^;!,  who  accompan- 
ied aie  to  Rhode- inland.  We  arrived  at  Providence, 
St;j)t  21  St;  and  o\i  ilie  morning  of  the  22d,  brother 
Buzzell,  being  a  stranger  in  tlie  phice,  lonk  great  sat- 
isfaction, in  viewing  the  place  where  Roger  Will- 
iams and  iiis  associates,  fled  unto,  when  persecuted 
and  banished  f(jr  their  religion.  He  viewed  Provi- 
dence in  its  prosperity,  and  admired  its  situation. — 
We  then  left  the  town,  and  went  on  to  Smiihficld.  It 
being  rainy,  we  put  up  at  brother  Tucker's,  and  tar- 
ried all  night. 

Sept.  23d,  it  continued  stormy;  and  about  9  o'- 
clock, A.  M.  the  tempest  began,  which  delu<£ed  a  con  • 
siderable  part  ol  the  town  of  Providence,  destroyed 
in  it  several  hundred  buildings,  and  an  immense  a- 
mouutof  propei'iy,  and  some  lives  it  likewise  spread 
great  destruction  through  all  ih;  couniry  east  and  west; 
and  w^s  a  day  that  will  long  be  reineniliered  in  that 
part  of  the  country.  One  ot  Broth-'r  Tucker's  barns, 
where  my  chaise  was  housed,  blew  down,  and  my 
chaise  was  destroyed.  The  temj)est  subsidi'd  about 
II  o'clock,  A.  M.  I  borroweKl  a  saddk>,  and  we  went 
on  to  Burrilville,  witnessing  all  the  way,  the  dreadful 
destruction  of  buildiiigs,  fences,  orchards,  w'ood  and 
timber  lots,  trees  of  ornament,  &o.  When  we  ar- 
rived at  Burrilville,  we  met,  in  the  afternoon,  with  El- 
der iVloses  Cheney,  Elder  Lamb,  and  brother  Joseph 
White,  at  Capt.  lihf)des',  where  we  were  kindly  re- 
ceiveii  and  entertained.  It  was  the  first  day  of  a 
Qirirterly  Meeting  in  that  town,  and  we  had  a  soleum 
and  rejoicing  time  VV^e  fdt  solemn,  on  viewing  ihe 
destruction  made  by  the  tempest ;  and  felt  to  rejoice, 
that  our  lives,  and  the  lives  of  so  many  others,  were 
preserved  amidst  the  direful  storm,  'i'he  inliabiiants 
were  engaged  in  securing  their  crops  from  the  catde; 
and  ws  enjoyed  the  first  day  of  our   meeting  by   our- 

20 


2,)0  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLDV. 

selves.  In  the  evening  we  went  to  the  house  of  the 
Jate.liKls;e  Irrmiih,  find  visited  his  widow  and  liiiht-rless 
children  in  their  jiffliciion.  We  had  a  precious  sea- 
son in  conversiitioii  and  prayer,  'i  lie  next  morning, 
S-abbatii  day,  ^^ept.  24ih,  we  repaired  to  the  ineeiing- 
liouse,  where  we  met  a  very  large  concourse  of  peo- 
ple, collected  lo  hear  the  wort!  of  the  Lord.  Ihoth- 
er  Ruzzell  spake  iVom  Isaiah,  xxxii.  3:  Jlnd  a  man 
shall  be  as  an  hidinu;  place  from  the  icind^  and  a  covert 
f)om  the  tempest;  as  riven  of  water  in  a  dry  place  ; 
ns  the  shadotc  of  a  great  rock  iu  a  weary  land.  Hr. 
Cheney  prcaclied  in  ilie  ariernoon.  And  after  he  clos- 
ed. Brother  Buzzell  delivered  another  shoit  discourse. 
All  were  very  ii^structive  and  pov\erful  discour-es. 

Monday,  early  in  the  morning,  by  the  desire  of  Er. 
Buzzell.  as  many  of  t[)e  church  as  could,  collected  at 
the  meeting-house.  And  after  pi  aver.,  and  hearing  a 
goodly  number  of  the  brethren  rehie  the  travel  of 
their  miiid>,  brother  Huzzell  ;md  brother  Cheney,  gnve 
Eiuch  good  advice  to  the  brethren  and  sisters,  with  re- 
spect to  ciiurch  government,  church  labors,  &c.  and 
then  took  their  leave.  After  taking  refreshments  at 
Capt.  lihodes',  I  accompanied  brother  Piizz'^Il  to 
Chepacliet,  where  he  preached  in  a  school  house, 
at  10  o'clcck  A.  M.  a  very  solemn  and  convincing 
discourse  ;  and  in  the  evening,  another  at  a  school- 
house,  near  ("ol.  b-teer's,  in  (jtoncester. 

Tu-asday,  Sept.  26th,  we  all  met  at  the  Academy, 
in  Smilhfield;  and  brother  Cheney  preached  a  sermon 
to  a  large  number,  who  had  collected  there  to  hear 
the  word  After  Elder  Cheney  had  done  speaking. 
Brother  Buzzell  delivered  a  short  disc  juise,  took  his 
leave  of  the  iireilner*,  and  went  on  to  IVovidence,  in 
company  with  brv)ther  Wliite.  I  tarried  that  evening 
at  fc'ntithfitld,  arid  attended  another  meeting  at  the 
Academ) ,  with  l)rother  Cheney  aufj  Elder  Lamb. 

Next  morning,  f^'pptember  27th,  I  accompanied  the 
Irelhren  to  I'rovidence,  where   we  witnessed  the  aw- 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBk'.  23l 

ful  devastation  made  by  the  late  tempest  in  that  towrt; 
after  vvh'ch,  I  parted  with  the  brethren  and  they  Went 
on  to  their  homes. 

Sal)hath,  Oclober  1st,  1  preached  at  Gloucester^ 
and  the  Sabbath  following,  I  preached  at  Burrilville, 
broke  bread,  &c.  I  also  preached  on  week  days  and 
eveninijs,  in  Burrilville,  Gloucester,  and  Siniihfield, 
durinu;  my  short  stay.  I  also  baj)tized  five  on  this 
visit.* 

h  is  now  about  three  years,  since  the  reformation 
beir;nn  in  those  towns,  which  has  been  ever  since  grad- 
ually progressing,  and  is  yet  spreading,  and  the  pros- 
pect very  glorious.     I  have  never   preached   in  any 

NOTE  BY  THE  EDITOR. 

*Though  weak  in  the  flesh,  this  obedient  and  industrious  disci- 
ple, seems  still  strong  in  the  Lord ;  and  to  be  owned  and  blessed, 
in  the  vineyard  of  hiis  Master,  and  in  the  jvhile  fields  of  the  gos- 
pel harvest  as  a  labourer  worthy  of  his  hire.  Elder  Colby  seems 
lo  have  dev^oted  himself  exclusively,  and  without  reserve,  to  the 
cause  and  interest  of  his  divine  Lord,  who  has  declared  that  his 
rerjyard  is  with  him,  to  give  lo  every  man  according  as  his  work 
shall  be:  which  is  abundant  encouragement  to  all  such  as  serve 
him  in  truth  and  sincerity. 

Though  the  author  uses  great  plainness  of  speech,  and  though 
no  enticing  jvords  of  man's  wisdon,  are  discoverable  in  his  compo- 
sition ;  yetthe/acJ!5  he  communicates,  are  not  the  less  important 
on  that  account,  but  rather  corroborative  of  their  intrinsic  value 
and  utility  in  promoting  the  cause  of  truth  ;  especially  to  the 
discriminating  understanding  of  all  such  as  are  bleseed  with  th* 
Tvisdom  which  comes  from  above.  Such  as  are  ignorant  of  the 
righteousness  of  God  and  are  going  about  to  establish  a  right- 
eousness of  their  own  ;  or  such  as  pay  a  total  disregard  to  the 
light  of  truth  within  themselves,  will  doubtless  be  led  to  under- 
value the  writings  of  Colby  and  others  of  the  same  character, 
and  even  to  discredit  the  remarkable  accounts  of  the  convictioa 
and  conversion  of  sinners,  therein  contained.  But  the  faithful 
in  Christ,  are  compassed  about  with  a  cloud  ot  witnesses,  and 
their  writings  and  productions  are  amply  attested  ;  in  whose 
lines,  the  eyf  of  the  believer  can  trace  the  King  in  his  beautij.and 
behold  the  land  that  is  very  far  off:  he  ex  ited  to  diligence  in  du- 
ty, read  his  own  feelings  and  experience  ;  and  have  brought 
fi-esh  to  his  view,  the  difl'erence  between  what  the  ancient  and 
modern  Pharisees  have  termed  "cwr  religion,'^  and  the  religion  of 
Jesds. 


232  LIFE  OF  -OHN  COLDI. 

Stale,  whore  there  was  a  groiiter  mtcntion,  or  lcs3 
o|)[)i)siiion,  ihan  tliere  is  in  ilie  slate  ol' ];  h(  de-lslniul. 
'1  hey  have  had  a  very  bad  lUinie  hy  some  of  ihe  mis- 
sionaries from  AJctasadiusetts  and  Coniicrdciti^  wiio 
have  thought  that  when  they  got  into  ]- h<  de-It-liind, 
ihey  had  got  among  the  headien;  and  have  pieacli- 
cd  to  them  as  such.  The  j)eo|)le  of  Iv.  1.  con- 
sider themselves  a  free  born  peo]tle  ;  born  in  a  hind 
of  light  and  liberty,  ;nd  enjoying  (qua!  privileges  Avith 
othtr  christians.  It  is  true,  that  li'e  liberal  piinciples 
of  tlie  people  of  Rhode-Island,  do  not  allow  men  to 
be  compelled  to  pay  taxes  to  a  man,  whom  ihey  do 
not  choose  to  hear.  And  some  preachers,  think  all 
men  are  either  heathens  or  hereticks,  wlo  do  not  pay 
a  siipuhited  minl^ter  tax.  Piut  these  heathen  ne\cr 
have,  to  my  knowledge,  either  fined,  whipped,  im- 
prisoned, banished,  or  put  to  deatii  those  whom  they 
considered  hereticks.  luit  have  not  all  these  cruel- 
ties been  inflicted  in  some  oihi-r  states  and  countries.^ 
Let  Massachusetts  answer.  1  et  Rogf.r  Williams 
and  his  associates,  with  many  more  of  the  good  old 
Baptists  and  Uuakers,  come  forth  from  their  graves, 
show  then-  scars,  and  relate  their  sufferings;  and  would 
not  the  people  of  Rhode  Island  weej),  to  hear  what 
their  fore-fathers  have  irone  through,  to  lay  a' founda- 
tion for  the  rehgious  liberties  they  now  enjoy?* 

♦Religious  dissenters,  in  all  ages  and  rounrries,  or  of  whalever 
name  or  denomination,  have  never  failed,  perhaps  of  having  to 
encounter  ihe  obloquies,  and  unjust  aspersions,  of  those  from 
whom  ihey  honestly  ditler  in  sentiment.  "I'he  persecutions  in 
these  cases,  have  invariably  been  inflicted,  if  not  by  religiws 
bigots,  or  people  o(  no  religion  at  all — yet  by  such  privileged  or- 
ders  in  society,  as  have  had  the  civil  aithority.  or  aim  of  Cae- 
sar, to  uphold  and  protect  them,  (r.nd  from  which  alone.  Ihey 
derive  all  their  consequence  and  irrportance.)  instead  of  being 
boill  on  the  Rock,  and  commissioned  from  on  high  ; — while  they 
stigmatize  with  the  epithets  of  heresy  and  delusion,  the  princi- 
ples and  practices  of  the  meek  followers  of  Ihe  Lajib,  the  weap- 
ons of  whose  warfare  are  not  carnal,  and  who  are  comman;!ed, 
li  smitten  on  one  cheek,  to  turn  the  other  also. — Editor. 


LIFE    OF   JOHN  COLBV.  233 

The  people  of  Rhode-Tsland  appear  to  he  ready 
to  distribute;  willino;  to  cominuniciite  to  the  nei-essi- 
lies  of  those  who  labor  in  the  word  and  doctrine  a- 
mong  them;  and  appear  to  cio  it  with  the  utmost  de- 
hght.  And  it  is  my  candid  opinion,  that  there  is  not 
a  spot  in  the  United  Stales,  containing  the  same  num- 
ber of  acres,  that  can  produce  more  leal  christians, 
than  the  state  of  Rhode-Island.  It  is  a  fact,  that  there 
are  certain  lewd  fellows  of  the  baser  sort,  in  this  state, 
who  made  disturbances  in  some  meetings  where  I  at- 
tended, when  I  first  came  to  the  place.  But  when 
they  found  tliat  I  had  come  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
and  was  not  to  be  frightened  by  a  little  opposition, 
they  ceased.  The  people  of  the  fiist  classes  in  the 
State,  with  a  few  exceptions,  have  received  and  treat- 
ed fne  with  the  greatest  attention  and  respect;  and 
t  hose  who  liave  opposed  have  been  those  who  could 
do  but  little  or  no  hurt,  only  what  they  do  to  them- 
selves. 

October  llth,  I  left  Providence;  and  on  the  14th, 
arrived  at  Portland,  Me.  I  still  found  that  my  lungs 
and  stomach  remained  very  weak;  and  after  speaking, 
I  was  generally  much  distressed.  This  often  remind- 
ed me  of  the  charge  given  me  by  my  physicians, 
^hen  I  left  Vermont  which  was,  not  to  preach  until  1 
had  recovered  my  health  But  this  charge  1  have  not 
been  able  to  keep  long  at  a  time. 

1  tarried  in  Portland  over  the  Sabbath. 

On  Monday,  1  made  some  arrangements  with  the 
Printer,  about  printing  this  book  ;  the  work  being 
chiefly  prepared  in  manuscript. 

Tuesday,  being  convinced  that  it  was  my  duty,  and 
would  be  for  my  health,  I  went  on  hoard  the  brig  He- 
ro, bound  to  Eastport,  or  Lubec,  and  arrived  there, 
October  23d.  1  visited  Moose,  Deer,  and  Granman- 
an  islands,  in  Passamaquody  Bay,  Province  of  New 
Brunsw  ick.  I  preadied  one  Sabbath  on  each  Island 
and  gr  at  attention  was  given  in  every  place,  espec 
»20 


234  LIFE  OF  JOHN   COLBY. 

ially  at  Eastport,  where  I  hope  1  shall  yet  live  to  see 
the  glory  ofCjcjd  revealed,  in  the  conversion  of  many 
souls.  Alihoiigh  my  visit  was  short,  my  aitnehment 
to  the  peo|)le  was  gieal,  and  I  formed  an  acquaintance 
with  many  respectable  people,  that  i  never  shall  for- 
get. O  may  the  Lord  rain  down  righteousness  on  the 
inhabitants  of  that  eastern  country. 

Mondiiy  evening,  November  I3ih,  I  went  on  board 
a  packet  bound  to  i'oriland;  but  the  wind  being  ahead 
we  lay  in  the  harbor  thirry-six  hours- 
Tuesday  evening,  at  9  o'clock,  a  cenlleman  from 
Eastport,  came  on  board  with  a  passenger.  After 
being  in  the  cabin  a  few  minutes,  he  bid  us  good  night, 
wished  U5  a  safe  passasie,  &c.  The  captain  went 
with  him  on  deck,  who,  when  he  returned,  presented 
me  will)  a  half  Eagle,  which  he  said  the  gentleman 
liad  sent  me  as  a  present.  This  I  wondered  ai,  as  the 
gentleman  was  an  entire  stranger  to  me.  However,  I 
considered  it  as  a  tokeu  of  my  heavenly  leather's  love 
and  care  forme,  under  all  circumstances:  for  1  soon 
found  I  needed  it.  I  had  to  give  six  dollars  for  my 
passage,  although  it  was  a  short  one. 

Wednesday  morning,  November  15,  we  made  sail; 
and  on  Saturday  following,  I  was  landed  at  North- 
Yarmouth  instead  of  Portland,  as  was  agreed.  A 
gentleman,  however,  from  Falmouth  came  along;  and 
finding  that  [  had  a  desire  to  be  m  Portland  on  the 
Sabbath,  procured  a  horse  and  chaise,  and  carried  me 
to  town.  1  arrived  about  12  o'clock,  preached  in 
the  afternoon  and  evening:  and  was  received  as  usual, 
with  great  kindness  by  the  Christian  Brethren  there. 
I  had  been  gone  nearly  five  weeks,  and  found  that  the 
voyage  had  greatly  contributed  to  my  health.  I  had 
had  lour  turns  of  being  seasick,  which  liad  cleansed 
my  stomach,  and  left  me  with  a  good  appetite. 

Tuesday  evening,  Nov.  26ih,  1  preached  at  Gor- 
ham  ;  found  several  young  converts  wl)o  had  lately 
experienced  religion  ;  anil,  like   all  new-born   souls, 


LIFE     OF    JOHN  COLBY.  235 

spake  much  of  the  fullness  and  freeness  of  Christ,  &c. 
We  l)ad  a  precious  time. 

'I  he  tiext  morning,  Nov.  22d,  I  sat  ofF  for  Mont- 
ville,  Me.  1  arrived  there  on  the  next  Saturday  eve- 
ning, and  attended  meeting  at  Ksq.  Copp's  ;  where  I 
had  the  happiness  of  meeting  Eider  Lamh,  and  Elder 
McFariin. 

Sahhath,  November  26th,  T  met  with  the  elders, 
brethren,  and  people,  in  |)nblic  worship  ;  and  I  cannot 
express  the  joy  wliich  1  felt,  at  seeing  my  brethren  in 
that  phice  ;  having  been  absent  from  them  about  two 
and  a  h;df  years.  I  preached  from  2.  Peter,  i.  13,  14: 
Yea,  7  think  it  meet  as  long  as  I  am  in  this  tabernacle, 
to  stir  you  up  by  putting  you  in  remembrance  ;  know- 
ing t"ar  shortly  I  must  put  off  this  tabernacle,  even  as 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  hath  shewed  me  — I  continued 
preaching  an<l  visiting,  through  the  week  ;  and  then 
preached  with  them  again  tiie  next  Sabbath,  whicU 
was  the  3(1  of  December.  At  the  close  of  this  meet- 
ing, 1  administered  and  partook  of  the  Eord's  supper, 
in  the  {)resence  of  a  very  crowded  and  solemn  assem- 
bly. 

Leaving  Montville,  I  went  to  Palermo,  and  preach- 
ed in  the  evening. 

Monday  morning,  at  10  o'clock,  I  preaclied  at 
Vassalboiough. 

Tuesday  evening,  I  preached  at  Pejepscut  ;  on 
Wednesday  night  at  Gray  ;  and  on  Thursday  I  went 
to  Portland. 

Friday,  December  8th,  I  was  engaged  in  finishing 
up  my  journal  for  the  next  day,  it  bemg  the  day  of 
the  nionili  on  which  I  was  born,  and  which  completes 
the  first  2S  years  of  mv  life.  I  conchideii  to  extend 
my  first  volume  to  that  date,  viz.  December  9th, 
1815  : — that  my  readers  may  see  how  good  the  Lord 
hath  been  to  me  ;  what  wonderful  deliverances  he 
hath  wrought  for  me  when  in  dangers  :  how  he  hath 
provided  for  me  in  times  of  need  :  blessed  my  weak 


236  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

eflxjrts  ;  and  given  me  to  see  of  the  trrtvail  of  Clirist's 
righteous  soul,  in  my  journeys  from  place  to  phue. 

And  now  my  dear  readers,  you  are  hastening  lo 
the  close  of  this  volume. -^1  hope  you  l)ave  read,  with 
the  same  attention  and  candour,  with  which  I  have 
written  it.  If  your  rehgious  sentiments  do  not  exact- 
ly correspond  with  mine  ;  yet  if  you  profess  to  he 
born  of  (jod,  and  a  lollovver  of  Christ,  let  us  sirive 
to  love  one  another  for  his  sake,  even  as  he  hath 
also  loved  us,  and  laid  down  his  life  ibr  us.  Love, 
pure  love  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neighbour.  God  grant 
that  professors  of  religion,  may  have  a  greater  share 
of  that  heaven  born  charity,  that  svjjcrtth  long,  and 
without  which,  we  are  nothing.  Jt  has  been  my 
study,  my  prayer  for  ten  years,  that  I  might  not  only 
love  and  be  united  with  all  the  dear  cliildren  of  God  ; 
but  that  I  might  love,  and  pray  for  my  enemies  :  such 
as  not  only  despitefully  use  and  persecute  me,  but  all 
the  children  of  the  J.ord  :  such  as  are  enemies  to  God 
by  wicked  works,  and  have  him  not  in  a'l  their  thoughts. 
This  christian  heavenly  temper,  1  have,  thanks  be  to 
God,  been  the  happy  partaker  of,  in  a  good  degree, 
for  years  that  are  past  ;  and  still  feel  an  increasing 
desire  to  serve  my  God,  love  his  chddren,  and  live  at 
peace  with  all  men,  as  much  as  in  me  lies>  and  speak 
evil  of  none.  1  aui  aware,  however  that  those  who 
are  led  by  a  wicked,  selfish,  or  party  spirit,  and  have 
done  that  which  is  wrong,  and  have  been  reminded  of 
it  in  this  book,  will  say  I  talk  hard  &c  But  to  such 
I  will  answer  and  say,  that  if  1  wrote  any  thing  on  the 
subject,  I  think  I  could  not  have  written  less,  nor  in  a 
more  mild  language  than  I  have  dope.  Yea,  whenev- 
er I  have  mentioned  the  conduct  of  opposers,  and  the 
harsh  treatment  1  have  met  with  iVorn  the  different 
denominations,  1  have  done  it  with  the  greatest  reluc- 
tance ;  and  in  many  instances  1  have  been  silent,  and 
not  named  the  wrong  :  choosing  rather  to  resign  it  to 


LIFE  OF    JOHN    COLBY.  237 

llie  judgment  of  the    great   day,    where    the  righteous 
Judge  will  uo  justice  to  all. 

i  would  luriher  lemark,  in  order  to  put  to  silence 
the  gainsaying  critick,  who  may  compare  the  ac- 
coiiiiis  that  1  have  given  o\  revival?  of  rehi:ion,  &c.  in 
different  places  w  ith  their  present  siluation.  (whicl)  is 
perhaps  vastly  different  Irom  what  it  was  when  I 
wrote  ;)  that  we  are  to  remember,  that  prosjjects  and 
things  olien  alter  and  assume  very  different  appearan- 
ces. For  instance,  we  pass  hy  a  very  flourishing 
field  of  corn,  and  we  judge  from  the  appearance,  that 
acc(;rding  to  the  course  of  nature  there  will  be  a  plen- 
td'ul'  harvest.  Immediately  after,  a  blast,  or  Irost, 
sti  ikes  aiid  kills  It  all.  '1  his  is  sometimes  the  case, 
when  we  see  a  great  prospect  of  a  general  reforma- 
tion. This  may  be  illustrated  by  our  Saviour's  para- 
ble ol  the  sower^  oi  the  tarcs^  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  being  likened  to  a  nets  cast  into  the  sea,  &c. 
&c  which  represent  the  divine  influence  of  the  gos- 
pel ol  the  grace  ol  God,  (which  is  really  the  case)  ag 
embracing  and  extending  to  a//  men  ;  and  which,  in 
great  reformations  and  revivals  of  religion,  seem  as  it 
were  under  the  similitude  of  the  net  to  make  a  gener- 
al sweep  of  the  whole  ;  but  through  the  disobedience 
of  some,  and  the  unprepared  slate  of  others,  not  being 
able  to  discern  the  signs  of  ike  times — many,  alas  !  in 
the  time  of  temptation  fall  away,  So  that  we  are  not 
always  able  to  see  the  end  or  lo  know  the  full  extent 
or  amount  or  final  result  of  relormalions  ,  hut  he  that 
enduretli  to  the  end,  the  same  shall  be  saved,  and  none 
else.  Where  1  have  spoken  in  positive  terms,  ol  the 
conversion  or  regeneration  of  any,  I  have  reason  to 
hope  and  believe,  that  the  work  was  genuine  : — time 
and  eternity  will  decide. — I  yet  view  an  extensive 
harvest  bet'ore  me,  in  which  I  must  labor,  and  have 
many  long  journeys  and  voyages  in  contemplation  ; 
one  voyage  in  particular  across  the  Atlantic.  I  can- 
not doubt  but  the  Lord  called  me,  many  years  ago,  to 


238  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

go  arirl  preach  the  gospel  ;  and  he  has  not  ns  yet,  that 
I  car)  (lisfern.  co'rjtnaiided  nie  to  slop.  If  I  am  faith- 
fnl  to  |)ieacfi  his  gospel,  I  trust  he  will,  in  liis  own 
time  tiike  me  froni  his  vineyard  here,  to  the  kino^dom 
of  glory  ;  and  as  a  reward  for  my  labors,  I  Ii0|)e  to 
receMvi--,  ui(h  all  his  humble  witnesses,  at  the  apjiear- 
log  ol  the  chief  iShe-pherd,  a  crown  that  ladelh  not 
away.  I  know  and  am  persuaded  of  the  Lord,  that 
the  manner  in  which  I  am  called  to  labor  in  the  vine- 
yard of  Christ,  is  very  crossing  anil  trying  to  nature  ; 
that  is,  lo  travel  though  the  world  and  preach. — 
A^one  know  it  but  those  who  try  it.  Wliat  has  been 
the  most  trying  to  me,  of  any  tiling  1  have  met  with 
of  this  nature  is  to  think  that  tluise  preacliers,  who 
can  feel  clear  to  stay  af  home,  with  their  families, 
friends  and  enjoyments,  should  rise  up  and  oppose 
those  that  God  sends  through  the  world.  Let  me 
ask  tile  question — Who  has  the  most  scri[)ture  .'' — 
How  does  the  commission  run  }  And  he  said  unto 
them ^  go  ye  into  all  the  icorld,  and  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  creature,  Mark,  XVI  15.  Go  ye  therefore, 
and  tench  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  oj  the  Son  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ; 
teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have 
Commanded  you  :  and  lo  I  am  with  you  ahvay,  even 
unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Jlmen.  Maihew  XXVIII. 
19,  20. 

Again.  Christ  himself,  icent  vp  and  down-,  doing 
good — and  said  to  his  disciples,  as  ye  go,  preach  ; — 
saying,  repent,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand. 
But  say.-  or.e,  these  travelling  preachers  do  more  hurt 
than  good  :  they  divide  our  parishes  ;  they  pull  down 
our  churches,  and  that  is  why  I  opp{)se  them. — An- 
swer. If  they  are  ^oof/  men  \\\ey  will  not  pull  down 
good  people  ; — and  if  they  are  bad  men,  they  cannot 
do  it  :  for  saith  Christ,  on  this  rock,  (meaning  him- 
self,) vvdl  I  build  my  church,  and  the  gates  (d'  hell 
shall  not   prevail  against  it.     Hence  the   church  of 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBV.  239 

Christ  has  a  sure  founclalion.  But  T  will  acknowledge 
there  is  one  Hivision,  or  separation,  that  I  heHeve  in  ; 
that  is,  a  division  betueon  the  precious  and  llie  vile. 
Come  out  Jrom  among  tlinn^  and  be  ye  separaie,  saiih 
the  word  of  God,  and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing,  and 
J  will  receive  ynu^  and  will  he  a  father  unto  you^  and 
ye  shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saitlx  the  Lord  Jll- 
mighty. — '1  hese  thii  gs  being  premised,  it  is  admitted; 
with  gratitude  to  the  (liver,  that  there  are  (hverse  r>^|  - 
erati(5iis  l)y  the  same  Spirit  ;  and  there  are  also  a  di- 
versity ol  gilts  in  the  Church,  and  they  are  all  useful  ; 
for  God  hath  pi;  ced  the  members  in  the  body  as  it 
hath  pleased  him.  We  may  also  charitably  sujipose, 
in  some  instances,  that  men  of  religion  may,  under 
different  degrees  of  experience,  and  other  ciicimistar.- 
ces,  disagree  in  sentirnent  with  respect  to  doctrine, 
names,  the  duty  oC  gospel  ministers,  &c.  and  yet  all 
act  from  honest  motives  and  feelings,  iiut  there 
should  l)e  no  schism,  no  essential  contiadictions  among 
the  ministers  and  people  of  (lod  :  their  testimony 
shoul  i  be  one — suijstaniiallv  the  same,  though  some 
may  l>e  able  to  tell  a  great  deal  more  than  others,  on 
nccoiitit  of  their  liiiiher  attainments  in  virtue  and 
knowlerlge.  Hear  the  apostle  Paid,  2  Cor.  i,  IS,  l9, 
20  :  "  But  as  God,  is  tme,  our  word  towards  you  was 
not  YEA  and  nay.  For  the  Son  of  God,  Jesus  Christ, 
uho  WHS  preached  among  you  by  7is.  even  by  me  and 
Sylvanus,  a7id  TimoilvuH,  vais  not  yen  and  nay  but 
in  him  ivas  yea.  For  all  the  promises  of  God  in  him 
are  yea,  and  in  him  Jlmen,  unto  the  glory  of  God  by 
us.^'  As  Christ  is  therefore  yea,  and  cannot  contra- 
dict himself;  and  as  the  apostles  all  told  one  story, 
or  bore  one  testiinoiiv  in  their  preaching,  and  that  was 
yea  ;  so  ought  the  ministers  and  people  ol  God  at  the 
present  day  to  b^ar  one  testimony  and  that  testimony 
be  the  ruth  as  it  is  m  Jesus  ;  and  not  to  preach 
yea  antl  nay,  and  contradict,  not  only  themselves  and 
one  another,  but  the  scripture^  also,  which,  it  is  to  be 


240  LlFF,   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

learei!,  is  too  tmicli  the  case  ;  aiiri  ilms  become  stum- 
bling blocks,  especially  to  siicii  as  know  uot  the  truih, 
the  very  persons  who  most  need  iiisiruction  !  who  are 
listening  with  anxious  uncertainty  to  these  clashing 
doctrines  of  men,  not  knowiui;  what  course  to  steer  ; 
and  are  too  often  led  to  believe,  according  to  the 
preaching  of  some,  if  |)reaching  it  can  be  c;dled,  that 
tiiey  are  reprobated  to  damnation  ;  and  there  leave 
oii  seek  ng  Christ,  and  of  striving  to  enter  in  at  the 
strait  gnie,  perlia[)s  till  the  door  is  shut  !  J  low  re- 
sponsible ore  the  prt-ac  hers  of  ihe  gospel  !  J  low  im- 
portant their  charge,  and  liovv  necessary  that  they,  yea 
all  of  them,  should  be  instructed  in  the  school  o( 
Christ,  and  be  really  called  and  commissioned  from 
on  high  ;  that  they  may  not  only  love  as  brethren, 
but  all  preach  one  doctrine,  viz.  that  which  Christ 
taiigli!,  and  learnt  hisa|)osiles  to  teach — which  is  yea 
and  amen  .  they  all  agreed  in  their  testimony,  and 
their  tesiiiuony  was  truk,  for  their  agreement  |)roved 
it  so  ;  and  true  is  he  that  rev(;ale(i  ii  :  for  he  said  of 
liimsrlf.  ihai  he  came  to  bear  witness  to  the  truth  ; 
and  tiiat  he  was  the  true  light  ;  the  true  vine  ;  and  he 
that  sent  him  is  true. 

Manv  will  say,  as  a  man  thinlcpth,  so  is  he  ;  to 
which  we  would  reply — and  if  he  lliinks  wrong,  he  is 
wrong,  he  acts  wrong,  and  by  being  wrong  Iwnself, 
his  words  and  actions  (how  pure  soever  may  be  his 
motives  and  intentions)  serve  to  lead  others  wrong. 
But  we  would  discriminate  between  errors  of  the 
judgement  i\n(\  oi  \he  will.  We  shall  all  be  judged, 
at  the  last  day,  according  to  the  light,  and  abdity  we 
have  had,  and  the  use  we  have  made  of  them  :  for 
God  will  rejuire,  of  every  one  of  us,  his  own,  with 
"usury  :  tlrU  is,  whatsoever  he  has  committed  lo  us 
respectively,  ba  it  little  or  much,  many  or  few  talents, 
he  will  certainly  require  the  use  or  improvement  of ; 
— "•'  occupy  till  /fo/ne,"  is  the  command. 

Aiy  dear   brethren   in   the   muiisiry,    in    parii;'ular, 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  241 

while  I  am  on  tliis  interesting  theme,  indulge  me  with 
the  favor  of  calling  your  attention  once  aiore,  to  the 
vast  iinj3(H'tance  of  preaching  Christ's  gospel  in  its  pu- 
rity h-ee  from  the  commandments,  traditions, and  doc- 
trines of  men — that  gospel  which  came,  and  still 
comes,  when  unmixed  with  human  notions  and  opin- 
ions, not  only  in  word,  but  in  power,  and  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  much  assurance.  Many,  who  seem  to 
carry  abuut  them,  a  mixture  of  laic,  gospel,  and  tra- 
ditioiv:  with  great  zeal  and  industry  (though  perhaps 
honesty  of  heart,  such  as  Saulhad,  while  in  ignorance^ 
and  unbelief)  palm  it  off  on  their  hearers,  for  all 
GOSPEL  ;  and  practically  say  by  their  actions,  as  well 
as  words,  to  the  real  disciples  of  Christ  and  such  as 
own  the  C'lrlstian  ^Yuine — •'  Ye  are  his  {that  is, 
ClirisCs)  disciples  ;  but  we  are  Moses''  disciples^ — 
But  to  such  I  would  say,  borrowing  the  language  from 
my  Master,  that  unless  their  rigliteousness  shall  exceed 
the  righteousness  of  the  scribes  and  pharisees,  they 
shall  in  no  case  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ; 
their  patching  with  the  new  cloth,  their  old  garments, 
only  makes  the  lorent  uorse.  In  order  to  be  clothed 
with  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  it  is  needful  that  they 
be  unclothed  of  their  legal  rasrs,  and  divested  of  the 
robes  of  their  own  invention,  which"  will  not  hide 
their  shame  ;  and  the  new  wine  of  Christ's  kingdom, 
must  Ue  put  into  new  bottles — the  new  hearts  of  his 
believing  children. 

These  reflections  are  not  intended  to  implicate  any 
particular  order  of  professed  christians  ;  but  may  be 
justly  considered  as  applicable  to  all  such,  as  arefound 
wanting  in  the  sound  doctkinf  of  the  New-Testa- 
ment :  while  I  bear  on  my  mind,  at  the  same  time, 
the  striking  declaration  and  denunciation  of  the  apos- 
tle i^aul,  Gal.  i.  8,  9  ;  "  Bat  though  toe,"  (the  apos- 
tles) "  or  an  aagdfrom  heaven,  preach  any  other  goS' 
pel  unto  you,  than  that  lohich  we  have  preached  unto 
you.,  let  him  be  accursed.     *fls  we  said  before,  so  say  I 

21 


242  LIFE  OF  John  coLEi. 

noic  nfraiiif  ij  any  man  preach  any  other  gospel  unto 
you  than  that  ye  have  received^  lei  him  be    accursed. — 

For  myself  I  lliink  I  can  say,  if  1  know  my  heart, 
that  my  motive  in  preaching,  is  the  glory  of  (jod.  nnd 
the  good  of  souls.  I  have  no  party  nor  sect*  to  build 
i)|),  and  none  to  pull  down,  any  farther  than  to  preach 
Jesus  Christ  unto  them  ;  and  if  by  this  mean,  any 
should  be  shaken  from  a  false  foundation,  and  led  to 
build  on  the  true  one,  I  shall  certainly  feel  as 
though,  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  my  work  has  been 
iilessecl  ;  feel  the  approbation  of  my  Master  ;  and  no 
one  will  have  cause  to  find  fault  with  me  on  that  ac- 
count. At  any  rate,  I  ought  to  be  found  faithful  in 
the  cause  in  which  I  am  engaged  ;  and  let  all  such  as 
belong  to  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  »^aviour  .lesus 
Christ,  strive  for  those  things  which  make  for  peace, 
and  christian  union,  by  letting  go  all  their  errors,  and 
embracing  Christ's  gospel  in  its  purity,  and  Him^ 
Vfith  the  whole  heart. 

For  myself,  I  feel  determined  to  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  creature,  as  far  as  I  am  able  ;  for  I  jiave  al- 
ways felt  and  still  feel  determined  to  preach  where - 
ever  I  can  find  a  congregation  to  hear  the  word — 
amona:  the  Methodists,  Baptists,  Quakers,  Presbyte- 
rians, Church  of  England,  Roman  Catholics,  &c.  &c. 

But  says  one,  brother  Colby,  you  are  very  liberal. 
Surely  I  am  ;  1  have  a  free  gospel  to  preach  to  all 
mankind  :  and  in  every  nation  he  that  feareth  God 
and  worketh  righteousness,  is  accepted  of  him.  Is 
this  the  ground  that  Christ  laid  out,  and  the  apostles 
built  upon  ;  and  have  we  not  wandered  from  it  and 
taken  u])on  us  names  and  burdens,  that  we  should  be 
better  otF  without  than  with  ?  Soine  tell  us,  however, 
that  the  different  names  that  the   children  of  God  are 


*Except  the  sect  mentioned,  Acts  XXIV,  5  ;  and  ActsXXVIIf. 
22.  viz.  the  followers  of  Jesus  Christ,  called  Christians,  first  in 
Aniioch— Acts  XL  26 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBT.  243 

known  by,  do  no  hurt.  One  brothar  told  me,  not 
long  since,  tliat  they  were  necessary  ;  that  without 
them,  we  should  not  know  each  other  apart.  I  told 
him  that  was  the  difficulty  ;  we  had  known  each  other 
apart  too  long  ;  and  it  was  high  time  to  know  what 
our  dear  Saviour  said  to  his  disciples.        > 

"  One  is  your  Master,  even  Christ  ;  and  all  ye  are 
brethren."  But  shall  1  show  my  Christian  readers, 
that  these  party  names  do  hurt,  and  entreat  them  to 
leave, them  for  the  name  of  Christ  ?  Say  for  instance, 
a  stranger  comes  into  our  town  to  preach.  The  first 
in;|uiry  is,  who  is  he  ?  what  denomination  does  he  be- 
long to  ?  One  answers,  why,  he  is  a  Methodist,  a 
Freewill  Baptist,  &c.  as  the  oase  may  be.  Oh  !  says 
the  standing  order,  1  have  a  sufficient  idea  of  the 
methodists,  freewill  baptists,  &c  ;  they  hold  to  incon- 
sistencies i  that  a  man  can  save  himself,  &.c,  I  don't 
wish  to  hear  him.  Question.  Did  you  ever  hear 
him  preach  .''  Answer.  No  :  but  they  say  that  the 
denomination  he  belongs  to,  are  a  strange  set  of  beings. 
IS ow  reader,  see  how  much  prejudice  a  party  nama 
carries  with'  it ;  how  it  shuts  the  door  :  yea  it  bars 
and  prevents  your  hearing  a  man  of  God,  a  minister 
of  the  everlasting  gospel,  who  might  be  instrumental 
of  the  conversion  of  your  soul,  would  you  go  to  hear 
him.  But  let  us  look  again.  Another  stranger  ap- 
pears in  town.  Inquiry  is  made  what  denomination 
he  belongs  to.  Why,  he  is  a  presbyterian.  Ah  ! 
replies  the  freewill  baptist  and  methodist  :  we  have 
a  sufficient  idea  of  that  order  ;  they  preach  for  money 
anil  divine  for  hire — we  don't  want  to  hear  him. — 
Question,  did  you  ever  hear  the  man  preach  .''  No  ; 
but  I  have  always  been  taught  that  they  preach  by 
their  learning  ;  make  a  trade  of  preaching  ;  are  al- 
ways crying  down  all  other  denominations,  <5'c. — 
Now  reader  take  another  view  of  the  monsters,  pre- 
judice, tradition,  scperstition,  and  bigotry,  which 
generally  go  hand  in  hand.     See  how  you  are  reject- 


i44  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBV. 

ing  you  know  rot  what,  till  yon  hear  :  porhaps  the 
prcachiT  objected  to  \vas  a  pious,  godly  man,  and  a 
gospt  1  preacher. 

Well,  says  one,  these  party  names  exist,  and  what 
shall  we  do  ?  Answer.  Cease  contending  about 
ihem,  and  they  will  all  die  lor  want  of  supjiort. — 
Christ  has  laised  u|)  the  Standard,  and,  let  us  all  rally 
round  it,  and  we  sluill  be  one.  But  if  you  do  not  see 
will)  me  in  these  things,  1  am  determined  not  to  throw 
you  away,  if  you  love  Christ,  nor  contend  with  you. 
But  say  you — you  are  so  cljaritable  for  all  denomina- 
lions,  1  lear  you  are  not  established  yourself.  An- 
swer. I  <mi  firmly  established  ;  and  have  been  Irom 
the  moment  my  soul  was  converted.  I  am  deter- 
mined to  contend  earnestly  for  the  faith  once  deliver- 
ed to  the  saints  ;  I  will  not  give  up  truth  for  eiror  ; 
and  whoever  throws  error  into  the  king's  highway, 
where  1  am  laboring,  to  stop  poor  travellers  from  get- 
ting to  heaven  will  put  me  to  the  trouble  of  throwing 
it  out,  that  the  way  may  be  clear  and  plain — 1  rc])'iat 
it  again,  that  1  have  a  firm  opinion  of  my  own  ies[)ec- 
ting  these  things  ;  but  my  religion  don't  consist  iti 
opinions,  principles  and  tenets  ;  and  how  narrow  is 
that  religion,  how  scanty  that  charity,  that  extends 
and  does  good  only  to  '■'my  order.''''  Tiie  Lord  says 
by  the  mouth  of  the  prop/iet  ;  comfort  ye,  comfort 
ye  Mv  PEOPLE,  saiih  your  God;  not  this,  that,  nor 
the  oiher  denominaiicjn,  to  the  exclusion  of  all  others. 
Eut  these  brief  hints  must  suffice  for  the  present,  al- 
though 1  confess  my  mind  has  been  so  exercised  with 
regard  to  these  things,  that  1  have  thought  I  could 
write  a  folio,  if  it, would  do  any  good  by  uniting  the 
people  of  God.  But  before  1  close,  1  must  express 
n)y  surprise  and  grief,  in  witnessing  the  declaration 
.•ind  progression  ol  the  war  in  i\ew  England  ;  declared 
and  earned  on  by  the  professed  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel, (/'ne  important  point  of  the  dis[)ute  ajipears  to 
be  relating  to  the  Trinity.     It  is  a  pity  there  should 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  CGLBV.  245 

be  so  much  contention  about  that  which  is  not  in  the 
bible.     What  profit  would   it  be  for  me  to  write  vol- 
umes, to  prove  that  snow,  ice  and  water  are  one  r — 
Or  on  the   other  hand,  to   prove    that    water  existed 
before  ice  :  or  that  snow  was  of  a  more  recent  date  ? 
Or  what  advantage  would  the  christian  world  derive 
from  my  calling  their  attention  by   publishing  pamph- 
let after  pamphlet,  to  prove  that   the  Father,  Son  and 
Holy  Ghost  are  one  ?     Or  that  the  Son  is  equal  with 
the  Father,  that  he  is   very  God,   &c.  ? — Christ  said, 
when  on  earth,  1  and   my    Father   are  one  ;  he  that 
hath  seen  the  Son    haih   seen    the  Father  also.     I  ia 
him  and  he  in  me,  &c.     That  all  men  should  worship 
the  Son  even  as   they    worship    the    Father  ;  for  he 
thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God,  &c. — 
Or  on  the  other  baud,  to    prove  that  the  Son  is  not 
equal  with  the  Father,  and  so   give  the  dimensions  of 
Christ,  as  though  we  could   bound,    limit,  fathom,  or 
comprehend    the    dear   Redeemer  ?     We    ought    to 
remember   that   we  cannot    comprehend    ourselves^ 
much  less  the  exalted  Son  of  God.     O  my  brethren 
in  the  ministry  of  every  denorainat'on,  let  us  all  unite 
to  proclaim  Christ  to  a  dying  world,  as  a  glorious  and 
all  sufficient  saviour  ;  and   when    we    have  all  cast  in 
our  mite,  and  said  all  that  we  can  of  his  beauty,  glory, 
wisdon);  love,  power,  and    willingness  to  save  all  that 
come  unto  him  ;  the  half,    the  hundredth,    yea,   the 
thousandth  part  will  not  be  to'd.     Even  so  Amen. 

And  now  I  hasten  to  a  close,  by  saying,  that  if  it 
please  God  to  preserve  my  life  and  restore  my  health, 
and  prepare  me  for  further  usefulness  in  his  blessed 
service,  I  am  still  determined  to  spend  and  be  spent 
in  it.  For  although  i  enlisted  into  it  at  an  early-p^t-ri- 
od  of  life,  I  do  not  regret  it.  And  notwithstanding 
the  labors  and  travels  1  have  endured,  the  dangers  E 
have  passed  through,  the  temptations  I  have  had  to 
withstand,  the  opposition,  aspersions,  reproaches;  and 
persecution,  I  have  borne  ibr  his  name  ;  1  am  still 
^21 


346  LIFE  OP  JOHN  COLBY. 

more  and  more  deliglited  with  the  work  ;  and  resolv- 
ed, if  possible,  to   double   my    diligence   in  it.     And 
would  here  recommend  to  all   my  dear  readers,  who 
have  been  so  happy  as  to  experience  a  saving  change, 
not  to  look  back  ;  but  to    forget    the    things    that  are 
behind,  and  reach  forth  to  those  things  that  are  before, 
and  press  towards  the  mark,  for    the  prize  of  the  high 
calling  of  (iod    in    Christ   Jesns.     And    it  any    have 
backslidden,  I  advise  them  to  remember  from  whence 
they  are  fallen,  and  repent,  and  do  their  first  work. — 
And  if  these  accounts  should  happen   to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  any  of  tliose  who  believe?  not,  and  they,  like 
IVicodemus,  should  ask,  How  can  these  things  be  ?  I 
advise  such  to  make  an  experiment.      1st.  iJy  search- 
ing the  scriptures  daily.     2d.  By  reasoning  with  the 
Spirit  of  (liQD.     3d.   By  confessing  and  forsaking  their 
sins.     4th.  By  submitting   themselves   to  Cod,  hum- 
bling themselves  in  his  sight,   and  earnestly  imploring 
his  pardon,  with  a  resolution  never  to  leave  the  throne 
of  grace,  till  they  are  born   again.      If  my  life  should 
be  prolonged,  and  (jod  should  be  pleased  to  make  use 
of  such  a  worm  as  I  in  his  glorious  work  ;  I  shall  pub- 
lish a  second  volume,  that  those   who  are  desiious, 
may   have  the    privilege    of  reading    the    wonderful 
■works    of  God,    wrought    by    the    feeblest   means ; 
through  the  instrumentality  of  one,   who  esteems  and 
considers  himself  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints,  and  a 
servant  to  them  all  for  Christ's  sake.     And  he  most 
earnestly  desires  the  fervent  prayers  ol  all  the  faithful 
ministers  and  humble  followers  of  Jesus  Christ. 

JOHN  COLBY. 


HYMN, 

COMPOSED   BY  THE   AUTHOR   WHILE   IN  OHIO. 

Oh!  if  poor  sinners  could  but  know 
How  much  for  them  I  undergo, 
They  would  not  treat  me  with  contempt, 
Nor  curse  me  when  I  say  repetit. 

Give  credit  now  to  what  I  say, 
And  mind  it  till  the  judgment  day; 
Of  God  I'm  sent,  constrain'd  to  go, 
To  call  upon  both  high  and  low. 

And  wo  is  me,  if  I  refrain 

From  going  forth  in  God's  great  name; 

A  dispensation  I've  received, 

And  my  kind  friends  I  now  must  leave. 

My  parent's  house  I  bid  adieu, 
And  on  my  journey  now  pursue. 
To  distant  climes  for  to  repair, 
To  call  poor  sinners  far  and  near. 

But  O  the  trials  of  my  heart. 
To  think  I  must  with  parents  part ; 
In  tears  I  left  them,  fili'd  with  grief; 
I  could  not  give  to  them  relief. 

They  brought  me  up  Avith  tender  care, 
And  for  my  health  no  pains  did  spare  ; 
Expos'd  themselves  both  night  and  day, 
While  fevers  wore  my  flesh  away. 

My  loving  brethren  think  it  strange. 
That  I  should  leave  my  nearest  friends; 
My  sisters  wonder  where  I  am, 
That  I  do  not  return  again. 

Ye  list'ning  nations  pray  give  ear, 
While  I  to  you  the  truth  declare ; 
May  wisdom  now  inspire  my  heart. 
My  joys  and  sorrows  to  impart. 

Through  winds  and  storms  of  rain  and  snow, 
Both  day  and  night  I  have  to  go. 
To  attend  the  appointments  I've  made, 
Or  find  a  place  to  lay  my  head. 


2IS  HYMN. 

Through  sultry  dimes  aiul  deserts  wide, 
I  am  directed  by  my  guide; 
No  cooling  streams  to  quench  my  thirst, 
If  I  for  want  should  turn  to  dust. 

I  draw  no  pension  here  below, 
To  pay  my  charges  as  I  go ; 
I  go  forth  on  my  own  expense, 
And  trust  in  God  for  my  defence. 

Oft  times  with  hunger  I  grow  faint ; 
I  travel  on  till  almost  spent; 
I  find  no  friend  nor  helper  nigh. 
But  he  who  hears  the  ravens  cry. 

Through  streams  and  rivers,  deep  and  wide, 
Both  high  and  swift  I  have  to  ride;, 
The  rolling  current  beats  with  force. 
And  often  drives  me  from  my  course. 

The  thunder  roars  when  clouds  arise, 
Tempest  and  darkness  veil  the  skies; 
All  nature  trembles  at  the  sound, 
And  wet  and  cold  I'm  often  found. 

But  greater  perils  I  repeat.; 
'Tis  when  I  with  false  brethren  meet ; 
Their  clothing  is  much  like,  the  saints, 
But  God  abhors  their  false  pretence. 

I  do  not  limit  conflicts  here, 
I've  foes  within,  I  have  to  fear : 
I'm  often  into  bondage  brought. 
In  ways  that  I  but  little  thought. 

But  yet  I  hear  a  heavenly  voice. 
Saying  arise,  in  me  rejoice  ; 
Go  to  the  world's  remotest  bound, 
I'll  be  thy  friend  when  foes  surround. 

And  when  my  work  is  done  below, 
I  trust  to  glory  I  shall  go  : 
And  take  my  lofty,  disUiai  flight. 
To  dwell  with  saints  in  glory  bright; 
Meet  all  the  heavenly  pilgrims  there, 
And  in  God's  kingdom  have  a  share. 


END  OF  VOLUME  I. 


THE 


LIFE,  EXPERIENCE,  AND  TRAVELS, 


JOHN    COLBY, 


PREACHER  OF   THE  GOSPEL, 


WRITTEN     BY    HIMSELF 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 


VOL,.  11. 


Come  and  hear,  all  ye  that  fear  God — and  I  will  declare  what  he  hnth 
done  for  iny  soul — Psalms,  Ixvj.  16. 

We  speak  that  we  do  know, and  testify  that  we  have  seen — John,  iii.ll. 


LOWELL,   MASS. 

PUBLISHED  BY  N.  THUKSTON  &  A.  WATSOH. 
1838. 


LIFE  &c.  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 


VOL.  II. 


December  19th,  1815.  The  first  volume  of  my 
life  ends.  The  second  volume  and  first  number  begin 
the  10th  of  the  same  month  and  year.  I  tarried  in 
Portland  until  the  15th,  I  then  left  Portland  and  went 
to  Kennebunk,  and  preached  in  the  evening. 

Saturday  16th,  I  went  to  Kittery.  Sabbath  day 
17th,  preached  in  Portsmouth,  &c. 

After  staying  a  few  days  I  went  to  Salisbury  and 
preached,  and  from  thence  proceeded  on  to  llhode- 
Island,  at  which  place  J  arrived  Saturday,  23d. 

Sabbath  day  24th,  1  preached  at  Burrilville  meet- 
ing-house; I  found  the  church  well  engaged,  (more 
so,  I  think,  than  1  ever  knew  them  before,)  and  well 
united,  bless  the  Lord!  The  next  Sabbath  day,  31st, 
I  preached  in  Gloucester. 

Mondav  being  new  year's  day,  I  preached  at  Eur 
rilville  meeting-house  from  tliese  words,    "  This  year 
thou  shalt  die." 

January  7th,  1816,  Sabbath  day,  I  preached  at 
Smithfield  Academy,  and  baptised  Esther  Smith,  a 
worthy,  pious  sister;  we  had  a  glorious  time. 

Sabbath  day,  14lh,  1  preached  at  Burrilville — we 
closed  the  meeting  witU  attending  to  the  conmiunion. 

Sabbath  day,  21st,  I  preached  at  Gloucester — iiad 
a  solemn  meeting.  28ih,  I  preached  at  Smithfield 
academy;  baptised  two  young  men. 

February  4th,  I  preached  at  Burrilville;  baptised 
six;  had  a  solemn  meeting;  took  my  leave  of  the 
brethren  for  the  present. 


4  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

In  the  evening  I  preached  at  Gloucester.  Monday 
T  went  (o  l*rovidence,  and  preached  in  the  evening. 

Tuesdiiy,  6th,  i  went  to  Boston;  tarried  there  thro' 
the  week,  and  preaclied  there  on  sahbath  day,  llih. 
I  then  shaped  my  course  lor  Portland,  Me.  I  went 
by  the  way  of  l*ort-niouih,  and  preached  there  twice. 
I  arrived  in  Portland  on  the  evening  of  tiie  IGtli,  and 
found  a  glorious  relormation  spreading  throughout  the 
town,  in  almost  every  society.  Many  were  already 
praii-ing  Ciod  for  his  goodness  to  their  souls;  while 
scores  if  not  hundreds  more  were  seeking  the  k^a- 
riour'a  love  to  know. 

I  tarried  in  that  region  seventeen  days,  preaching 
in  Portland  at  the  |)lains,  at  Gorham,  Shoutvvater,  &c. 

I  had  the  privilege  at  Gorham  of  meeting  Elder 
^Vhite,  who  had  been  preparing  for  a  second  tour  to 
Khode  Island. 

i  gave  liiin  up  my  horse  and  carriage,  and  he  went 
on  to  preach  with  the  brethren  and  people  there  du- 
ring my  absence.  By  this  time  I  had  fully  detei  min- 
ed to  make  another  excursion  to  the  Province  of  New 
Brunswick.  For  ever  since  I  was  there  last  fall,  I 
have  fell  almost  a  continual  cry  for  the  people.  East- 
port,  Eastpori!  has  been  continually  sounding  in  my 
ears.  I\otwiihstandir)g  my  cough  continues  bad,  my 
health  poor,  my  friends  (many  of  them)  against  my 
going,  and  a  passage  by  water  being  often  attended 
with  fatigue  and  danger  at  this  season  of  the  year; 
yet  I  must  forego  all,  commit  myself  to  GOD,  and 
go  in  his  name.  I  think  1  never  felt  my  dependence 
on  the  Lord  more,  nor  a  greater  desire  that  he  would 
go  with  me,  than  I  did  at  that  time.  I  proceeded  and 
attended  to  my  last  duty  before  I  embarked,  which 
was  to  write,  and  send  letters  to  my  relations  and  to 
uiy  friends  in  Vermont,  New-Hampshire,  District  of 
Maine,  Massachusetts,  Rhode-Island,  &c.  in  which  i 
humbly  begged  an  interest  in  the  prayers  of  hundreds, 
taut  God  would  prosper  my  way. 


LIFE   OF    JOHN  COLBY.  O 

I  also  mentioned  the  day  thai  I  l)oped  to  arrive, 
and  preach  at  Easlport,  which  would  be  on  sabbath 
day,  1 0th  of  March. 

March  5th,  I'nesday  morning,  1  went  on  board  a 
packet  which  was  immediately  ui.der  way.  We 
quickly  lost  sight  of  Portland. 

1  here  found  myself  situated  in  the  midst  of  about 
three  score  and  ten,  of  all  classes,  sexes  and  ages.  I 
and  several  others  were  sea  sick.  We  had  cold 
stonily  unconilortable  weather  ;  and  together  with 
this,  a  crowded  cabin  made  my  passage  very  fatiguing. 

'I'he  Lord  however  was  very  merciful,  and  that 
n)ore  than  amends  lor  all.  I  was  enabled  to  sing, 
pray  and  talk  some,  while  on  board,  which  1  hope  was 
not  altogether  in  vain.  1  sometimes  lieard  the  pas- 
sengers sing  out  in  the  dead  of  night,  (as  i  lay  cough- 
ing m  my  birth,)  that  man  will  die  soon,  1  know  : 
yes,  replies  aiioiher,  that's  a  church-yard  cough. — 
While  hearing  their  opinions,  I  could  lay  witli  com- 
posure, and  calmly  reply  to  myself,  that  I  expected 
10  live  to  preach  Christ  to  thousands  yet,  and  perhaps 
lo  preach  some  of  their  funeral  sermons. 

iSiarch  10th,  sabbaili  day,  accordmg  to  my  fait!",  and 
desire,  i  ariived  at  Eastport  about  lO  o'clock  in  the 
morning. 

How  condescending  and  how  kind  has  my  redeem- 
er been  lo  me  !  1  am  now  safely  landed  on  the  island 
that  i  have  longed  once  more  lo  visit,  before  I  go  the 
way  from  whence  no  traveller  returns.  I  immedi- 
ately ajtplied  lo  Capt.  John  Feavy's  where  I  was  cor- 
dially received  by  him  and  his  family  ;  also  i)y  broth- 
er (Jharles  Peavy  and  family,  who  live  in  ihe  same 
house.  Ca[)t.  John  took  my  trunk  and  other  things, 
and  having  leii  me  uito  a  very  pleasant  chamber, 
richly  lurnished  with  every  thing  to  make  me  com- 
Ibrtaule,  said,  you  must  make  this  your  quarters  while 
you  stay. 

1  thanked  him  and  praised  God.     I  was  afterwards 
22  Vol.  ii. 


6  LIFE  OF  John  coLB\. 

informed  by  brother  Charles  Peavy's  wife  tli.nt  Capt. 
Jolin  ordered  the  room  pre|)ared  tlie  day  before,  on 
hearing  that  1  had  arrived  at  Wesl-quaddy.  Ji  being 
now  but  a  few  minutes  to  meeting  time,  i  endeavored 
lo  make  ready,  and  after  taking  a  htiie  relresliment, 
(at  the  ringing  of  the  bell  in  the  large  school  liouse,) 
1  repaired  thither  for  public  worship.  1  found  a 
young  preacher  who  dehvered  a  discourse  in  the  lore- 
noon.  1  was  soon  constrained  to  believe  from  his 
notes  and  manner  of  i)reacl)ing,  that  he  would  not  be 
veiy  likely  to  rouse  the  people  to  a  sense  of  their 
danger.  He  inibnned  me  it  was  a  very  d<irk  time  as 
10  religion  on  the  Island.  He  however  prayed  for  a 
j-evival,  and  that  the  I  ord  would  send  by  the  hand  of 
whom  he  vvould  send  liut  it  appeared  aftt^rwards 
Irom  his  opposition  and  hard  speeches,  tliat  he  was 
not  prepared  to  rejoice  in  the  answer  to  his  prayer. 

Sabbath  day,  P.  M.I  was  requested  by  the  people 
;uid  impressed  by  the  good  spirit  to  preach  ana  im- 
mediately 1  conlerred  not  with  flesh  and  blood.  1 
spoke  from  Luke  13th  chap.  6,   7,  8  and  9ih  verses. 

1  he  congregation  was  large,  and  unusually  solemn; 
many  wept,  and  some  rejoiced. 

In  the  evening  1  j)reached  at  the  same  place  from 
Matthew  vi.  20.  'J  he  house  was  much  more  crow- 
ded than  it  was  in  the  day  time.  1  was  inlormed 
many  were  obliged  to  go  away  who  could  not  get  in. 
From  every  thing  I  could  discover,  I  began  to  enter- 
tain a  secret  hope,  that  I  had  not  come  in  vain,  nei- 
ther in  my  own  strength  and  thai  the  impressions 
which  I  had  felt  al)out  iiastport  since  I  was  liere  last 
tail,  were  not  delusions  of  the  enemy.  I  thought  I 
could  clearly  disc(wer  a  little  cloud,  about  the  size 
of  a  man's  hand,  and  hear  the  sound  of  a  great  rain. 

O  may  my  God  make  known  his  power  on  this  Isl- 
and !  where  there  are  but  a  few  of  his  real  followers. 

Tuesday  evening,  I  preached  at  the  same  [)lace, 
(from  Genesis,  chap.  24ih   and   vtrse  49ih,)  throudi 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBV.  7 

much  infirmity  of  body,  but  with  great  satisfaction  of 
mind.  The  people  crowded  the  house,  and  heard 
uiili  great  solemnity  and  candor. 

Thursday  and  Friday  evenings,  1  preached  upon 
the  Island  to  crowded  and  solemn  congregations. 

Sabbath  day,  17th,  I  preached  in  the  large  school 
house,  i\\e  usual  place  ijf  public  worship,  where  I 
rikewise  preached  in  the  ev^ening.  When  I  was  here 
last  fall,  I  desired  the  young  people  to  read  attentive- 
ly-lh(;  Sih  chapter  of  Proverbs,  and  promised  them,  if 
1  ever  returned,  I  would  preach  to  them  from  a  verse 
in  that  chapter.  I  accordingly  took  the  17ih  verse 
for  the  subject  of  my  discourse  in  the  forenoon,  and 
addressed  myself  to  the  youth  in  particular.  The  au- 
dience was  large,  and  they  paid  the  most  profound 
attention.  I  spoke  in  the  first  place  of  the  love  of 
God  to  mankind  in  general  ;  secondly  of  his  love  to 
them  in  particular,  who  love  him,  (for  they  are  to  hitn 
as  the  apple  of  his  eye  ;)  thirdly,  of  the  encourage- 
ment to  the  youth  who  seek  the  Lord  early  ;  for  it  is 
said;  "They  shall  find  me.'' 

I  thought  from  the  attention,  solemnity  and  tears, 
many  said,  through  his  grace  we  will  seek  untd  we 
find. 

Tuesday,  P.  M.  we  had  a  free  and  open  confer- 
ence, for  nil  to  speak,  pray  and  sing,  who  had  a  de- 
sire. I  was  informed  that  this  was  the  first  meeting;  of 
the  kind,  that  had  been  on  the  Island  for  many  years. 

The  banisiieJ  children  of  God  and  mourning  sin- 
ners rejoiced,  not  only  to  hear  a  free  gospel  preached, 
but  also  to  hear  a  free  meeting  appointed. 

The  professors  of  religion  of  different  denomina- 
tions, most  of  whom  belonged  to' no  church  in  partic- 
ular, gathered  from  every  part  of  the  Island. 

The  meeting  commenced  with  singing,  prayer  and 
praises  to  God,  after  which  I  read  the  12(h  and  13lh 
chapters  of  first  Coruiihians,  and  having  made  some 
WiqI  reuiarks,  I  gave  liberty  for   oil   to   speak  as.  the 


8  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

Spirit  slionld  give  utteiance.  A  ynnnjr  mnn  nrnseand 
be[|;.in  to  tell  \vh;it  the  l.ord  had  fione  lor  his  so'.il  ;  ho 
rehiled  his  experience,  which  wr.s  very  mteresiing;. — 
'i  he  people  then  arose  in  quick  succession  .'ind  spoke 
their  minds.  All  seemed  lo  he  led  to  tell  iht  ir  ex- 
perience, and  1  think  1  never  heard  better  exj)eriences 
llian  were  related  that  afternoon. 

After  about  13  or  14  had  spoken,  the  nii:ht  over- 
took ns.  We  appointed  another  conference  in  a 
week  from  that  time,  and  having  pia)ed  and  parted 
in  love,  many  retnmed  to  their  dwe'lings  saying  that 
they  had  not  enjoyed  snch  a  meeting  for  monilis  and 
years. 

Wednesday  evening  f  preached  at  the  usual  place, 
and  a  truly  solemn  meeting  we  had. 

Friday  evening  we  had  a  prayer  meeting  at  Mr 
Jeremiah  Burgin's.  'J  he  house  was  crowded,  it  was 
a  weeping  and  solemn  time, 

kSjgns  of  a  revival  appeared  more  and  more  visible 
at  every  meeting  which  I  have  aitended.  b'atnrday 
I  attended  another  prayer  meeting.  About  9oftlie 
clock  while  1  was  at  prayer,  two  men  came  in  ;  when 
prayer  was  ended,  they  told  me,  that  they  had  come 
at  the  request  of  Capt.  Warren  Hathaway,  in  a  small 
schooner,  to  carry  me  to  Deer  Island,  where  I  was 
to  preach  the  succeedin^j  day,  [sabbath  day, J  I  felt 
very  much  fatigued,  and  my  cough  continued  very 
bad,  but  my  word  had  gone  on  and  my  body  n^.ust 
follow. 

I  went  on  board,  we  made  sail,  was  hailed  by  the 
guard,  obtained  a  pass,  got  under  way,  and  arrived  at 
Capt.  Ilathaway's  between  one  and  two  of  the  clock 
at  night. 

1'lie  next  morning  I  was  joyfully  received  by  the 
Capt.  his  wife  and  family.  1  believe  the  son  of 
peace  abides  here.  1  formed  an  acquaintance  with 
this  family  when  I  was  here  last  fail  and  preacluMi 
three  times  in  the  neighborhood  at  the  house  apj)Oint- 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBl.  » 

ed.  I  saw  the  people  collecting  by  land  and  water 
frniTi  all  directions.  We  had  three  meetings  in  the 
course  of  the  day  and  evening. 

The  people  were  all  attention  and  solemnly  ;  some 
rejoiced  and  many  mourned.  A  number  came  from 
t^astport,  and  expected  me  to  return  with  them,  bul 
by  especial  request,  and  from  a  sense  of  duty,  I  tarri- 
ed Monday,  and  preached  agani  in  the  evening. 

Tuesday  morning,  Capt.  Hathaway  and  some  of 
I1I3  hired  men  accompanied  me  back  to  Eastport.  1 
tliink  [  may  say  of  this  man  as  the  centurion  said  of 
himself,  Matthew  viii.  5,  G,  7,  8.  9  ;  Luke  vii.  2,  3, 
4,  5,  6,  7,  8  :  "  I  also  am  a  man  under  authority, 
having  soldiers  (or  servants)  under  me  and  I  say  10 
this  man  go,  and  he  goeth,  and  to  another,  come  and 
he  cometli,"  &c.  &c. 

His  vessels  at  sea  and  those  which  he  had  building 
at  home,  employ  a  large  number  of  hands.  He  has 
an  abundance  of  this  world,  but  his  main  treasure  1 
believe  is  laid  up  in  heaven.  I  think  him  to  be  a 
humble  christian,  and  although  he  has  never  as  yet 
attached  himself  to  any  religious  society,  I  neverthe- 
less think  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  he  will,  and 
become  a  pillar  in  the  church  of  God. 

Tuesday,  at  1  of  the  clock  according  to  our  ap- 
pointment, we  met  at  brother  Charles  Peavy's  for 
conference.  Our  meeting  was  more  crowded  and 
heavenly,  than  the  one  which  we  had  last  week. — 
Four  and  twenty  spake  for  the  LORD,  and  some  sev- 
eral titnes.  I  cannot  express  what  1  felt  and  saw 
concerning  all  things  around,  in  any  better  language, 
than  to  say  that  it  seemed  as  though  the  house  was 
filled  with  GOD. 

His  presence  made  the  place  awful  and  glorious. 

Many  rejoiced,  numbers  mourned  and  wept.   Some 

confessed  tlieir  errors,   some  endeavored   to    speak, 

but  were  so  affected  they  could  not.     Near  the  close 

of  the  meeting  Mr  Jere   Burgin,   one  of  the  first  men 

22*  Vol.  ii. 


10  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBV, 

of  the  Is'a:  d  in  many  respects,  pcblicly  desired  pray- 
ers. This  gave  greai  soltiniiity  and  favour  in  llie 
moment  of  prayer.  Several  blooming  youih  then 
came  to  me,  and  in  tears  inlbrmed  me  of  their  mourn- 
ing and  depraved  situation — the  desire  whicii  they 
had  to  obtain  religion,  and  to  have  me  remember 
them  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Judire  liurgin,  a  brother 
to  the  one  1  have  before  mentioned,  requested  the 
next  conference  to  be  held  at  his  house  ;  it  was  ac- 
cordingly ap[)ointed  at  the  place  requested. 

Wednesday  evening  I  preaciied  at  the  usual  place. 
We  had  a  crowded  audiL-nce  nnd  a  solemn  senson. 

O  LORD  !  cause  thy  work  to  spread  with  jiower. 

Friday  evening  I  attended  a  {)rayer  meeting  at 
brother  Todd's  (a  little  out  of  town  ) 

There  were  the  most  people  collected  that  I  have 
seen  togei  her  since  I  have  been  on  the  Island;  but 
the  formal  improvements  and  o|)|)Osition  from  a  cer- 
tain preacher  made  it  rather  an  uninteresting  lime,  and 
caused  maiiy  to  wish  tliat  he  had  staid  away  or  been 
silent.  After  meeting,  (beTore  the  people  were  all 
dispersed  )  he  made  a  desperate  attack  on  me  with 
all  the  artillery  he  bad,  well  loaded  up  with  principles, 
tenets  and  doctrines  of  men.  This  was  a  general  bat- 
tle, and  lasted  tdl  after  midnight.  He  told  me  we 
were  as  different  as  'ight  and  daikness,  and  that  he 
detested  the  doctrine  that  I  preached,  viz.  ''  that 
Jesus  Christ  by  the  grace  of  Cod  tastpd  death  for  all 
men:"  Hebrews,  chap  2d  and  verse  9th.  Also 
'Mhat  the  spirit  of  God  should  reprove  the  world  ;" 
John  chap  16th,  verse  8ih.  Likewise,  "  that  the 
gospel  was  to  be  preached  to  every  creature  ;"  Mark 
chap  16t!i,  verse  15th.  I  told  him  that  detestable  as 
such  kind  of  doctrine  was,  the  Lord  had  owned  and 
blessed  it  to  the  conversion  of  thousands.  He  then 
told  me  that  he  thought  of  staying  over  the  sabbath, 
and  wished  to  know  if  I  was  willing  he  should  attend 
meeting  with  me,  and  preach  half  of  the  day. 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  11 

I  told  him  that  last  sabbath  I  preached  at  Deer  Isl- 
and, and  had  made  an  appointment  here  the  next  ; 
that  there  were  vacant  places  all  around,  and  that  I 
had  no  lirriC  to  lose  or  be  idle.  IVeveriheless  if  the 
Lord  should  summon  him,  or  any  body  to  preach  on 
the  sabbath,  he  nnght  be  assured  that  I  should  not 
quarrel  wiih  '.hem  about  it ;  but,  said  I,  you  can  judge 
sir,  for  yourself,  whether  it  will  be  for  the  glory  of 
God,  for  you  and  me  to  labour  together  any  longer, 
when  you  say,  we  are  as  different  as  light  and  dark- 
ness, and  that  you  detest  tlie  doctrine  that  I  preach, 
&c.  He  said  no  n)ore  about  staying,  but  started  the 
next  morning  for  home,  having  been  here  about  ten 
days. 

iSabbath  day,  March  SIst,  I  preached  twice  in  the 
large  school  house  in  the  day  time,  and  once  in  the 
evenmg  ;  the  house  was  remarkably  crowded  at  every 
meeting.  .Some  stood  without  and  heard  as  long  as 
tiiey  could  endure  the  cold,  and  many  came  that  were 
wholly  unable  to  get  in  or  to  hear,  but  went  away.  O 
Lord  !  bless  their  dear  souls  and  prepare  tl)eai  to 
dwell  in  that  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens. 

The  attention  and  solemnity,  as  I  have  before  ob- 
served, were  very  great.  After  sermon  in  the  even'ng, 
a  number  si)oke,  among  whom  was  Capt.  John  Peavy, 
a  man  of  distinction,  at  whose  house  1  reside.  He 
liad  professed  religion  several  years  ago,  and  had  a 
beautiful  and  solemn  gift  in  prayer  and  exhortation. — 
At  length  he  shrunk  at  the  cross,  laid  down  his  testi- 
mony, and  died.  Having  an  abundance  of  this  world, 
which  loaded  his  mind  with  care,  he  has  enjoyed  but 
little  religion,  (as  he  says  himself.) 

For  some  time  ha  has  appeared  very  solemn,  and 
his  mind  has  been  much  exercised  lor  several  weeks. 
When  he  arose  and  began  to  speak,  he  laid  the  axe  at 
the  root  of  the  tree,  by  confessing  his  disobedience 
and  backsliding.     His  coming  forward  was    so  unex- 


12  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBV. 

pected,  and  liis  testimony  so  weighty,  that  it  cut  all 
before  it.  It  was  observed  by  some,  that  it  seemed 
like  a  shock  of  electriciiy  ;  everything  shook  around 
ihem. 

Monday,  April  1st.  Very  stormy,  as  it  continued 
to  be  Tuesday  in  tlie  forenoon.  'J'he  wet  and  muddy 
travelling  did  not  prevent  the  people  from  collecting  at 
Judgo  Burgin's  in  the  afternoon  for  weekly  conference. 

There  was  not  only  an  increase  of  numbers,  but 
also  of  speakers.  There  were  about  eight  and  thirty 
spoke;  Judge  Burgin  among  the  number;  he  earnestly 
entreated  the  people  of  God  to  pray  for  the  conversion 
of  his  soul,  that  he  might  know  the  enjoyment  of  re- 
ligion, and  spend  the  remnant  of  his  days  in  the  service 
ot  God.  He  furtlvermore  encouraged  all  aroimd  him 
to  seek  diligently  until  they  found  hmi  of  whom  Moses 
in  the  law  and  the  prophets  did  write.  This  had  a 
glorious  and  solemn  effect.  A  number  more  came 
forward  desiring  prayers.  O  liow  unspeakably  great 
has  been  tlie  goodness  of  the  Lord  to  us  this  day  !  [ 
am  sure  it  cannot  be  forgotten  in  time  nor  in  eternity. 

Wednesday  evening,  1  preached  at  the  usual  place, 
the  house  was  thronged,  the  people  very  solemn,  and 
I  had  a  good  time  in  preaching  the  word. 

Friday  we  had  a  prayer  meeting.  In  the  evening  I 
prearhed  at  Andrew  Warrington's,  about  a  mile  up 
the  island.  His  house,  though  large  was  crouded; 
people  came  from  almost  every  part  of  the  island  ;  a 
large  number  walked  up  from  the  town.  Eight  spoke 
after  sermon;  their  testimonies  were  weighty;  some 
confessed  their  retnissness  and  carelessness  ;  some 
were  under  deep  conviction,  and  some  happy  in  the 
Lord.  The  young  jieople  were  more  affected,  th;>n  I 
ever  before  saw  them. 

Sabbaih  day,  April  7th.  Our  meetings  both  in  the 
day  and  the  evening  were  crowded  and  solemn.  It 
Vfi  thought  the  assembly  in  the  evening  was  greater 


LIFE  OF    JOHN   COLBY. 


13 


than  ever  met  there  before;  a  large  number  was  with- 
out; all  was  attention  and  mar.y  were  in  tears. 

A  number  of  the  British  officers  and  soldiers  at- 
tended., who  appeared  very  candid. 

Monday  I  visited  a  number  of  famihes  up  the  Isl- 
and; had  a  good  time;  lound  some  happy,  some  un- 
der conviction,  some  mourning  for  iheir  sins,  some  on 
beds  of  languishing;  one  man  in  particular  who  was 
thought  to  be  near  his  end.  I  had  the  mournful  pleas- 
ure of  conversing  with  him.  I  found  he  had  embrac- 
ed religion  many  years  ago,  but  had  been  living  in  a 
backslidden  state.  Whtt'O  I  asked  him  his  views  with 
respect  to  his  recovering,  he  looked,  unutterable 
things,  and  said,  "  I  want  that  life  which  never  dies." 
This  1  was  glad  to  hear. 

After  singing,  prayins:  and  conversing  with  him,  I 
recommended  him  and  his  lamily  to  God,  and  the 
word  of  his  grace. 

Tuesday  9th  was  a  rainy  day,  and  we  concluded 
our  weekly  conference  would  be  thin,  but  soon,  in- 
deed, were  we  disappointed. 

We  were  immediately  convinced,  that  no  weather 
would  stop  the  people  from  collecting,  for  it  was  al- 
lowed by  ail  that  there  had  never  been  so  many  seen 
to  a  conference  before.  How  many  spake  I  cannot 
say,  but  this  much  I  can  say,  it  was  a  glorious  day. 
Many  spoke  that  I  never  heard  before.  The  meeting 
on  AV^ednesday  evening  was  crowded  and  solemn,  as 
usual. 

Thursday  I  attended  meeting  at  a  place  called 
Chocolate  Cove,  on  Deer  Island. 

Friday,  I2th,  we  returned  to  Moose  Island. 

We  were  overtaken  by  a  severe  snow  storm.  A 
British  sailor  was  drowned  in  a  few  minutes  after  I 
landfui;  four  more  made  a  narrow  escape. 

Sabnaih  day,  April  14ih.  Preached  on  Moose  Isle 
at  the  usual  place.  The  house  was  not  only  filled 
with  people,  both  day  and   evening,  but  many  hearts 


14  ~  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

were  filled  with  sorrow  and  mourning,  and  many  mure 
vviili  joy  and  peace. 

'i'liasday  we  held  onr  conference  at  hrother  Peavy's; 
found  tlie  house  unusu.'dly  crowded.  Many  spoke  for 
the  Lord  that  day,  and  we  could  say  of  a  truth,  it  w<is 
a  day  of  good  tidings.  At  our  meeting  on  Wednes- 
day evening  I  think  there  was  good  seed  sown,  which 
I  trust  will  spring  up  hereafter.  It  was  remarkable 
that  there  were  four  preachers  present,  and  not  a  word 
uttered  by  one  of  them.  O  (lod!  convert  preachers 
unto  the  work,  for  Christ's  sake. 

Thursday  1  went  to  Penimqiion,  and  preached. — 
In  the  evening  1  crossed  over  to  Easibay,  and  j^reach- 
ed  at  brother  iMoses  Lincoln's.  The  people  flocked 
from  all  directions,  and  frofu  many  miles  distant  to 
these  meetings.  We  had  a  very  solemn,  refreshing 
and  awakening  time. 

Friday  I  returned  to  Moose  Island,  and  preached 
at  brother  Johnson's  in  the  evening.  It  was  a  very 
solemn,  weeping,  and  crowded  house.  Two  or  three 
blooming  youth  under  deep  concern,  arose  and  spoke 
for  the  first  time,  confessing  in  tears  their  sins,  and 
desiring  the  people  of  Clod  to  pray  for  them. 

Saturday  I  preached  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town 
9t  Capt,  Compton's.  His  sister  tojd  her  experience 
for  baptjsni. 

Sunday,  21st,  preached  on  Moose  Island  at  the 
usual  place,  and  as  usual,  we  had  firstly  the  presence 
pnd  spirit  of  the  Lord;  secondly,  the  prayerrs  of  the 
saints;  thirdly,  a  free  gospel  to  preach;  fourthly,  a 
crowded  audience  of  attentive,  solemn  people,  in  and 
about  the  house,  to  hear.  There  were  not  only  peor 
pie  from  every  part  of  this  Island,  but  also  from  Deep 
Island,  Campobello,  Leebeck,  Denninsville,  Penam- 
aquon,  East-bay,  and  some  other  places.  ''  Unto 
him  shall  the  gathering  of  the  people  be."  There  is 
evidently  an  increase  of  people,  solemnity,  and  tears. 

Gpd  is  carrying  on  a  glorious  wo'kj  lor  which  I 


LIFE     OF    JOHN  COLBY.  15 

praise  his  name.  I  preached  in  the  afternoon  on  the 
subject  of  election  from  the  following  p.issages  of 
scripture;  liomans,  Chap,  viii  verse  28,  29,  30,  .'53; 
Romans,  Chap,  ix,  from  liie  11th  to  the  24ih  verse. 
I  told  the  people,  they  had  often  heard  me  proclaim 
free  salvation,  and  tell  them  that  Jesus  Christ  by  the 
grace  of  God  had  tasted  death  for  every  man;  He- 
brews ii.  9;  "  For  there  is  one  God,  and  one  medi- 
ator between  God  and  men,  the  man  Christ  Jesus, 
who-gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all  to  be  testified  in 
due  time."  1st  Timothy  ii.  5ih  6ih;  "  And  he  is  a 
piopitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  al- 
so for  llie  sins  of  the  whole  world."  1st  John,  chap, 
ii;  verse  2d. 

There  had  undoubtedly  been  an  inquiry  in  the 
minds  of  many,  whether  1  believed  in  election  or  not. 
I  told  them  1  did,  and  would  proceed  to  explain  the 
verses  I  had  read.  The  Lord  said  to  the  people  of 
Israel,  you,  and  you  only  have  I  known  of  all  the  na- 
tions of  the  earth.  Paul  says,  "  For  whom  he  did 
Ibreknovv,  he  also  did  predestinate."  Tliis  fore- 
knowledge does  not  allude  to  any  thing  which  trans- 
jiired  in  the  early  ages  of  eternity,  as  some  people  tell 
us;  but  it  evidently  refers  to  something,  which  took 
})lace  between  creation,  and  the  time  the  apostle  wrote 
lo  the  Church  of  God  at  Rome. 

To  tell  us  of  what  took  place  in  the  early  ages  of  e- 
ternity  is  inconsistent.  Eaily  ages  imply  a  beginning; 
and  we  may  with  tlje  same  propriety  say  towards  the 
latter  end  of  eternity.  To  say  that  persons  were  e- 
lected  ill  Christ  from  all  eternity  is  no  election  at  all ; 
of  course  Bible  election  is  destroyed. 

For  if  persons  were  ever  elected,  there  must  have 
been  a  time  of  tiie  transaction. 

Romans,  chapter  viii:  verse  30.  'J'he  words  called 
justified,  glorified,  are  all  in  the  i)iist  tense;  they  relate 
to  something  which  was  finished,  and  ended,  when  the 
Apostle  wrote,  of  course  they  have  no  allusions  to  na- 


16  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBV. 

tions  or  people  since.  If  those  passages  prove  any- 
lliiiig  lor  those  who  believe  in  unc.oiiclitiorial  eleciion 
and  reprobation,  they  prove  too  much;  lor  it  is  certain 
(jrod  foreknew  every  creature,  that  ever  did  or  ever 
will  exist,  and  on  that  principle  of  reasoning  all  would 
be  glorified  and  universalisui  be  confirmed.  Hut  this 
is  not  the  case,  lor  those  who  die  in  their  sins  will 
never  eo  where  Clnist  is  gone.  People  make  a  2;reat 
mistake  when  they  take  those  promises  that  apply  to 
certain  characters,  as  ])rophets  and  apostles,  and  apply 
them  to  all  believers ;  or  those  promises  that  apply  to 
believers,  and  apply  them  to  the  whole  world 

As  to  election,  it  doih  not  appear  that  ever  good 
men  were  termed  Ciod's  elect,  till  more  than  two 
thousand  years  from  creation  ;  and  the  first  occasion 
of  this  kind  of  language  being  used,  was  when  God 
separated  or  chose  the  nation  of  the  Jews  from  the  na- 
tions of  the,  earth,  then  sunk  in  idolatry  and  wicked- 
ness. And  as  the  separating  of  the  clinsiians  from 
the  Je>vs,  when  Christ  was  here  on  earth,  was  a  simi- 
lar event,  no  wonder  that  similar  words  and  pl)rases 
should  be  used.  An  A[)ostle  exhorts  his  brethren  to 
give  all  diligence  to  make  their  calling  and  election 
sure  ;  had  it  been  made  sure  in  Christ  from  eternity,  I 
see  no  propriety  in  the  exhortation.  1  cannot  find  by 
searching  the  scriptures,  that  the  words  election,  elect- 
ed and  elect,  are  used  more  than  seven  or  eight  and 
twenty  times  ii^  the  bible  ;  and  they  always  refer  to 
all  believers  in  general,  and  to  the  apostles,  pr()[)hels, 
Jews,  patriarchs,  angels,  and  Christ  in  particular. 

These  words  never  a[)ply  to  ungodly  sinners,  lor  I 
cannot  believe  that  God's  enemies  are  Christ's  sheep. 
l\o  man  is  elected,  nor  ever  will  be,  unless  lie  is  born 
again;  for  we  are  chosen  through  sanciificaiion  of  the 
spirit  and  belief  of  the  truth,  says  the  apostle. 

When  we  are  brought  to  believe  in  the  truth,  it 
makes  us  free,  and  we  are  sanctified  by  the  spirit  oi 
God. 


LIFE   OB"    JOHN  COLBY.  17 

It  does  not  follow,  because  the  above  classes  are 
called  tbe  elect,  that  any  are  reprobated,  unless  they 
make  themselves  so.  If  we  have  but  one  president 
or  ki'i'j;,  it  is  certain  that  all  the  people  in  the  kingdom 
cannot  be  elected  to  tliat  office  ;  yet  if  his  election  is 
such  as  it  ought  to  be  his  election  is  for  the  general 
good  of  the  wtiole.  This  is  the  idea  which  I  have  of 
election.  How  important  to  a  lost  world  was  the 
election  of  Christ  to  be  a  mediator  between  God  and 
man  ;  who  verily  was  fore-ordained,  saith  Peter,  be 
fore  the  foundation  of  the  world,  &c. 

That  IS  the  only  place  I  can  find  the  word  founda- 
tion mentioned  in  the  bible,  and  there  it  applies  to 
Christ,  who  was  chosen  to  be  a  prince  and  a  saviour. 
Thus  [he  unconverted  world  is  benefited  in  a  greater 
or  less  degree  by  every  class  termed  the  elect.  Ro- 
(nans,  6ih,  I  llh,  "For  the  children  being  not  yet 
born,  neither  having  done  any  good  or  evil,  &c.  "  It 
was  said  unto  her,  the  elder  shall  serve  the  younger;" 
as  it  is  written,  Jacob  have  I  loved,  but  Esau  have  1 
hited.  It  has  been  preached  from  the  pulj)it,  and  be- 
lieved by  the  people,  that  God  hated  Esau,  and  loved 
Jacob,  before  they  were  born;  but  this  is  not  tlie  case. 
Reader,  believe  me,  God  is  not  partial  to  one  being 
more  than  another;  read  for  yourself.  Genesis,  chap. 
25th,  verse  23d;  "  And  the  Lord  said  unto  her  two 
natures,  &c. — and  the  one  people  shall  be  stronger 
than  the  other  people — and  the  elder  shall  serve  the 
younger. 

Tliis  is  the  end  of  what -the  Lord  said  to  Rebecca; 
Jacob's  and  Esaa's  names  are  not  mentioned.  About 
fourteen  hundred  years  afterwards  was  written  in  Mal- 
achi,  cliap.  2,  to  verse  3;  was  not  Esau  Jacob's 
brother  ?  saith  the  Lord,  yet  I  loved  Jacob  and  hated 
Esau. 

riiis  is  the  text  to  which  Paul  refers,  when  he  says, 
as  it  is  written,  &c. 

The  reason  of  God's  hating  Esau  may  be  seen  by 
23  Vol   ii 


18  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COI.BV. 

reading  the  tentli  verse  of  Obadiah,  and  t/ie  41st  verse 
of  the  27tli  cliapter  of  Genesis,  l.ook  and  see!  it 
i>  very  evident  that  the  Lord  hates  every  nuirderer, 
v.nd  loves  every  christian;  (or  lie  saith  to  Moses,  J  will 
Ivjve  mercy  on  \\h()ni  1  will  have  mercy.  Quere, — 
On  whom  will  he  have  mercy  .''  On  every  humble, 
penitent  soul.  The  scripture  saith  unto  I'haraoh; — 
"  Even  (or  this  same  purpose  have  1  raised  thee  up, 
that  I  might  show  my  power  in  thee." 

<^uery.  Who  has  not  God  raised  up  to  show  his 
power  ?  It  is  certain  every  son  and  daughter  of  Ad- 
am bespeak  the  power  of  (iod.  Let  it  be  known  that 
I'liaraoh  had  a  space  for  repentance,  as  much  as  any 
other  person;  but  it  appears  lie  had  siimed  it  away, 
and  he  could  say,  wl)o  is  the  Lord  that  I  should  obey 
Ijis  voice  to  let  Israel  go  .'*  I  know  not  tlie  Lord, 
neither  will  1  let  Israel  go.  Exodus,  chapter  5th, 
verse  2d. 

He  novv makes  this  proud  and  stubborn  appearance; 
and  having  been  often  reproved  and  hardened  his 
neck,  he  was  suddenly  destroyed,  and  that  without 
icfnedy.  Verse  L8th,  "and  whom  he  will  he  hard- 
eneth;"  that  is,  all  such  as  will  not  have  Christ  to  reign 
over  them.  The  same  sun  that  melts  down  the  hum- 
ble penitent,  sears  and  hardens  the  stubborn  and  im- 
penitent. Verse  20th,  "  Shall  the  thing  formed  say 
to  him  that  formed  it,  why  hast  thou  made  me  thus?" 
viz.  why  hast  thou  made  me  capable  of  attaining  eter- 
nal life  only  through  repentance  and  faith  in  our  Lord 
Jesus  ? 

Hath  not  the  potter  power  over  the  clay  of  the  same 
liunp,  to  make  one  vessel  to  honor  and  another  to  dis- 
honor .''  Every  vessel  is  clean  when  it  comes  out  of 
tl)e  potter's  hand,  but  the  vessels  are  converted  to 
different  uses  afterwards,  and  notwithstanding  all 
God's  power,  we  have  no  account  in  the  record  of 
truth,  that  he  ever  exercised  his  power  in  creating  any 
loi"  damnation,    for  he  is  not   willing  that  any    should 


LIFE  OF    JOHN   COLBY.  19 

perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to  repentance.  21 
Peter,  iii.  9tli, 

Respecting  the  vessels  of  wrath  fitted  to  destruc- 
tion, it  is  evident  the  Lord  waits  with  much  long  sul- 
fering  to  be  gracious,  till  ungodly  sinners  treasure  up 
wrath  unio  the  day  of  wratli,  and  fill  up  their  cup  ot 
wickedness  and  become  ripe  for  destruction. 

Justice  then  cries  cut  them  down,  mercy  no  longer 
interposes,  and  thus  the  wicked  are  driven  away  in 
thetr  wickedness. 

The  vessels  of  mercy  are  those  which  he  had  after 
prepared  unto  glory,  not  from  all  eternity,  but  from 
the  time  ihey  were  converted,  and  prepared  by  graco 
to  go  into  the  spiritual  house,  and  be  changed  froia 
glory  into  glory  as  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord. 

I  have  briefly  and  candidly  offered  what  light  f  have 
on  the  subject.  Christian  reader  look  at  it  with  can- 
dor. 

Monday  22d;  This  was  a  solemn  day.  A  man  sia- 
tioned  in  the  British  army,  from  Scotland,  who  had 
heard  me  preach  several  times,  came  in  to  see  and 
converse  with  me  about  religion.  I  had  a  good  time, 
and  could  say  with  Peter,  that  God  is  no  respecter  of 
persons.  While  we  were  in  deep  conversation,  ti- 
dings came  tliat  a  British  soldier,  who  had  been  con- 
fined in  the  fort  for  the  horrid  crime  of  murdering  a 
young  woman,  and  who  was  to  have  his  trial  in  a  few 
days,  had  hung  himself;  although  he  had  always  de- 
nied the  fact,  by  this  act  he  cried  guilty  with  a  loud 
voice. 

In  the  afternoon,  I  attended  the  funeral  of  Major 
Dana.  Friday  he  was  seen  walking  in  the  streets; 
Saturday  evening  he  died;  and  now  he  is  moving  to 
the  silent  grave,  preceded  by  sixty  of  his  brother 
masons,  and  followed  by  his  afflicted  widow,  father- 
less children,  and  a  long  procession  of  acquaintance 
and  friends.  The  masonic  ceremonies  being  ended 
at  the  grave,  the  procession  returned  to  hii  stately  e  J- 


20  LIFE    OF    JOHN  COLBY. 

iflce,  h1  ere  liis  widow  deeply  lamented  his  sudden 
juid  unopened  de});irtuie,  and  ihiit  s-lie  luid  no  op- 
pcituniiy  of  conversing  wiih  liim  on  matleis  cl  eter- 
nal nionient.  O  ye  livina:,  set  your  house  in  order, 
for  you  must  die  and  not  live. 

I'uesdciy  our  conlerence  was  up  the  Island  at  broth- 
er A\  alme's,  whose  house  was  well  filled.  We  had 
as  usual  a  good  and  solemn  meeting;  likewise  on  Wed- 
nesday evening  at  the  large  school  house 

I'hursday  1  went,  to  1  eer  Island,  preached  in  the 
eveninii;  likewise  on  Friday. 

fc-aturday,  returned  to  Eastport  and  preached  there 
on  the  sabbath  day,  28ih.  \\  e  now  find  that  a  large 
house  for  public  worship  is  very  much  nteded. 

People  came  from  all  directions,  and  many  of  them 
were  obliged  to  remain  out  of  door.  After  jireaching 
a  sermon,  we  repaired  lo  the  water,  and  1  baptised 
three. 

it  was  thought  there  never  w'ere  so  many  people  to- 
gether at  Easiport  before.  At  two  of  the  clock  in  tlje 
afternoon,  1  preached  a  second  sermon,  and  at  six,  a 
third  ;  solemnity,  attention  and  mourning  for  sins  were 
visible  through  the  day. 

1  uesday,  April  .SOih.  At  one  of  the  clock,  we  held 
our  weekly  conference  at  the  large  school  house,  for 
no  private  house,  would  convene  the  people.  As  a 
few  had  been  baptized,  more  expected  to  be  soon, 
many  more  under  deep  conviction,  a  number  of  pro- 
fessors scattered  over  the  Island,  who  belong  to  no 
church  in  particular,  w'e  deemed  it  proper  that  a  church 
should  be  embodied,  |)lanied,  gathered  or  established, 
in  the  apostolic  order;  lor  unkss  we  are  built  upon 
the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  .lesus 
Christ  being  the  chief  corner  stone,  our  foundation 
must  fail. 

I  had  previously  embraced  opportunities  of  con- 
versing with  a  niiniber  of  pious,  leading  characters  to 
know   what  they   intended  to  do,  and  inlormed   them 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  UOLBY.  21 

that  they  would  be  under  the  necessity  of  choosing 
one  of  tlie  three  lollovving  things;  1st,  either  to  join 
with  a  smaH  church,  that  then  existed  on  the  Island, 
whose  members  were  chiefly  in  a  backslidden  state, 
too  much  engrossed  with  teniporal  things,  having  a 
form  of  godhness,  but  denying  the  power,  as  many  of 
them  confessed  afterwards. 

Or,  secondly,  to  remain  as  they  were;  or,  thirdly^ 
to  come  forward  according  to  the  New  Testament, 
and-  unite  as  a  church  of  God. 

The  first  thing  proposed,  they  said  they  could  not 
consent  to,  for  their  consciences  would  not  allow  them 
to  take  such  a  solemn  oath,  in  the  presence  of  God, 
angels  and  man,  to  that  m  which  they  did  not  believe. 
They  were  certain  that  the  church  had  many  things 
inserted    in  their  creed,  which  were  not  in    the  bible. 

As  to  the  second  proposition,  they  said  they  could 
not  be  willing  to  remain,  as  they  were  scattered  and 
slain  witnesses,  when  there  were  so  many  coming  for- 
ward who  want  a  house  and  home;  I  mean  a  living 
church  to  join. 

And  as  to  the  third  proposition,  they  were  willing 
to  come  forward. 

There  were  twelve,  eight  brethren  and  four  sisters, 
who  came  forward  in  the  public  conference,  and  uni- 
ted. I  proceeded  as  a  minister  of  Christ  according; 
to  the  New  Testament,  to  consider  them  a  church  at 
Eastport,  and  recommended  the  scriptures  of  truih  to 
them,  as  their  only  and  all  sufficient  rule  of  faith  and 
practice.  I  have  no  doubt  but  there  were  many 
more  good  christians  present,  who  would  have  been 
willing  to  come  forward  and  joined,  but  J  thought  it 
not  prudent  to  give  a  general  invitation  then,  lest  some 
should  come  forward  that  we  could  not  fellowship. — 
The  church  being  furthermore  but  just  embodied,  with 
many  s[)ectators  they  would  not  be  likely  to  act  with 
that  freedom  and  deliberation,  that  they  would  at  i- 
nother  time.  We  therefore  appointed  another  meet- 
23*  Vol.  ii 


22  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

ing  on  Saturday  late  in  the  afternoon,  to  liave  those 
who  wished  to  join;  those  vv[io  were  seeking  religion, 
&c.  to  meet  with  us.  A  goodly  number  spoke  in  the 
conference;  we  prayed  and  departed  in  love 

Wednesday  I  attended  the  funeral  of  Mrs  Cusliing. 
Wednesday  evening  we  had  a  very  solemn  meeting 
at  the  Widow  JXorrud's;  several  spoke,  and  some  for 
tiie  first  titne. 

Friday  evening  we  had  a  prayer  meeting  at  brother 
Tuckey's. 

Saturday,  a  little  before  night,  we  met  at  brother 
Feavy's  according  to  appointment;  five  came  forward 
and  joined  the  church,  wliich  increased  tlie  number  to 
seventeen.  We  appointed  Capt.  Peavy  church  clerk, 
and  brother  Babcoek,  deacon. 

Sunday,  May  5!h,  we  had  a  blessed,  good,  solemn 
meeting;  at  the  close  of  which,  we  repaired  to  the 
water,  and  I  iiad  the  happiness  of  baptizing  two.  It 
becomes  daily  more  and  n^ore  evident  that  conviction 
-and  attention  increase  throughout  the  place. 

Our  conference  on  Tuesday  at  brother  Peavy's,  I 
think,  if  possible,  was  more  heavenly  than  usual.  A 
large  number  spoke;  five  desired  the  privilege  of  join- 
ing the  church;  these  were  received,  which  increased 
the  number  to  twenty.  May  the  Lord  add  to  the 
church  daily  of  such  as  shall  be  saved. 

Wednesday,  I  attended  the  funeral  of  IMr  Cushing; 
lie  died  one  week  after  his  wife.  They  now  lay  side 
by  side  in  the  cold  grave;  they  lived  a  very  careless 
lii'e,  and  it  is  to  be  feared,  died  a  miserable  death. — 
They  left  one  babe  behind. 

Thursday  May  9th.  My  labor  being  ended  here 
for  the  j)resent,  1  left  Moose  Island,  and  went  to  Lu- 
bec  to  obtain  a  passage  on  to  the  west.  1  went  on 
board  a  schooner,  Capt.  White  oi"  Portsmouth,  Mas- 
ter, and  sailed  out  a  little  before  dark;  stood  out  to 
sea. 


LIFE     OF    JOHN  COLBY.  23 

Patiirday  night,  we  were  visited  with  a  very  heavy 
gale  and  storm  ;  made  land. 

Sabbath  day  morning,  a  little  past  9,  through  the 
fog — found  it  to  be  an  island  near  Portsmouth — arri- 
ved in  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  harbor  at  eleven.  At 
three  in  the  afternoon  found  myself  landed  in  Ports- 
mouth, instead  of  Portland,  as  I  calculated,  when  I 
left  Eastport. 

B.^ing  sick,  the  most  of  my  way  up,  I  was  very 
thankful  once  more  to  get  upon  the  land  ;  for  my 
strength  was  nearly  exhausted,  and  I  felt  quite  fatigued  , 
I  rein-ed  to  Proiher  A.  Dea;born's  ;  went  to  bed, 
and  took  a  sweat.  The  next  day,  I  took  the  stage, 
and  went  to  Portland  a  distance  of  sixty  miles.  I  at- 
tended several  meet.*-gs,  and  found  that  the  glorious 
reformation  continued  to  spread  in  that  town. 

Saturday  I  took  the  stage,  and  returned  to  Ports- 
mouth, N.  H.  I  preached  there  Sabbath  day  and  eve- 
ning, solemnity  and  peace  were  realized. 

Monday  20th,  I  took  the  stage  and  went  to  Boston. 
Tuesday  evening  I  attended  a  meeting  there  ;  tarried 
in  town  until  Thursday  morning,  I  then  took  the  stage, 
and  went  to  Providence,  li.  I. 

pTiday  I  went  to  Smithfield. 

Saturday,  May  24ih,  I  had  now  but  nine  miles  to 
travel  to  reach  liurrlKiJle,  at  which  place  our  quar- 
terly meeting  was  to  commence  at  ten  of  the  clock, 
tljat  day.  Un  my  arrival  I  found  the  brethren  and 
people  collected  ;  the  most  of  them  had  done  look- 
ing for  me,  knowing  that  but  a  few  days  before,  I  was 
engaged  in  tlie  reformation  at  Eastport,  between  three 
and  four  hundred  miles  distant.  Some  of  the  pople 
said  a  little  before  I  arrived  there,  that  one  circum- 
stance encouraged  them  to  hope,  I  should  yet  come, 
and  that  was,  that  I  had  never  failed  of  coming  when 
I  had  an  appointment  there. 

Our  meeting,  particularly  on  the  Sabbath,  was  very 


24  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

solemn  nnd  crowded.     I  doubt  not  but  good  was  done 
in  the  name  of  Ctirist. 

Two  elders  attended  with  me  ;  one  of  whom  was 
Elder  ^V  hite,  who  had  been  j)reaching  among  the 
brethren  and  people  in  my  absence. 

I  attended  several  meetings  in  the  course  of  the 
week,  in  Burrllviile  and  Gloucester  ;  all  of  whicli 
were  solemn  and  crowded,  particularly  one  at  Burril- 
ville  meeting  house.  'J'he  occasion  of  this  meeting 
was  a  funeral  of  one  of  deacon  ^Salisbury's  daughters, 
a  member  of  the  church,  who  was  suddenly  snatched 
awav;  and  on  Wednesday  the  29th  of  May,  was  fol- 
lowed to  the  cold  grave  by  a  large  concoiirse  of  peo- 
ple, and  a  long  procession  of  mourning  relatives. 

Sabbath  day,  June  2d,  I  preached  in  (jloucester  at 
ten  in  the  forenoon,  and  baptized. 

At  three  in  the  afternoon  1  })reached  eight  or  nine 
miles  distant  at  the  academy  in  Smitiifield,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  meeting  baptized  three.  By  tiiis  time 
my  little  store  ot  strength  was  much  exhausted. 

Monday,  I  went  to  Providence,  and  in  the  evening 
had  an  interview  with  the  Governor  of  the  State. 

Havini;  heard  of  my  passage  through  Providence  a 
few  days  before  on  my  way  to  the  quarte.ily  meeting 
at  Burrdville,  he  requested  liie  faniiiy  by  the  name  of 
Dyer,  on  whom  1  generally  called  when  in  town  to 
give  him  information  when  I  was  again  there.  A 
note  was  accordingly  sent,  and  I  found  myself  happi- 
ly situated  in  religious  conversation  with  the  Gover- 
nor. The  evening,  I  believe,  was  very  agreeably 
spent  by  both  of  us,  as  well  as  by  the  family.  I 
found  to  my  satisfaction  that  he  knew  experimental 
religion. 

lie  informed  me,  that  he  felt  happier  when  he  could 
get  with  a  few  of  his  brethren  into  a  little  prayer  meet- 
ing, than  he  d'd  in  all  the  sessions  of  State,  he  ever 
enjoyed.  Another  mstance  he  related  ;  th?t  at  a  cer- 
tain lime,  he  retired  to  his  bed  under  peculiar  trials  of 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  25 

mind,  and  after  falling  into  a  sleep,  he  dreamed  of 
reading  the  following  passages  of  Scripture;  "For 
we  have  not  a  high  priest,  that  cannot  he  touched 
with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  for  he  hath  heen  temp- 
ted in  all  points  like  unto  us,  yet  without  sin." 

He  then  awoke,  to  sleep  again,  anil  dreamed  it  over 
a  second  and  a  third  time  ;  he  then  began  to  weep 
and  sing  the  following  words; 

"  Sweet  is  the  work,  my  God,  my  King, 
.To  praise  thy  name,  gives  thanks  and  smg  &c." 

Kis  wife  then  awaked  him,  and  he  found  himself  in  a 
flood  of  tears,  but  filled  with  joy. 

I  told  him  that  when  I  was  in  Vermont  last  summer 
a  certain  preacher  mentioned  in  public,  that  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Rhode  Island  was  a  believer  in  Christ,  and 
had  followed  him  in  the  ordinance  o(  baptism.  Some 
who  were  enemies  to  Christ  disputed  it,  and  said  he 
was  on'y  sprinkled.  The  Governor  replied  as  fol- 
lows. "1  was  in  the  first  place  sprinkled,  and  after- 
wards I  subjected  myself  to  immersion."  The  eve- 
ning being  now  spent  he  kneeled  down,  and  made  a 
very  humble,  affecting  and  solenm  prayer  with  us  ail  ; 
he  prayed  very  earnestly  for  me  in  particular,  that  my 
heakh  might  be  restored,  and  my  strength  equal  to 
my  day  ;  after  which  we  parted  in  j)eace.  Having 
now  finished  my  visit  (short  as  it  has  been)  in  Rhode 
Island,  for  the  present,  1  had  it  on  my  mind  to  return 
to  Vermont,  to  visit  my  relations  and  brethren  there, 
and  endeavor  to  regain  my  health  by  getting  some 
help  for  my  cough,  which  remained  very  stubborn,  and 
distressing. 

Tuesday  4th,  I  took  the  stage  and  went  to  Boston  ; 
attended  one  or  two  meetings  with  but  little  satisfac- 
tion. 

Friday  morning  at  four  of  the  clock,  I  took  the 
stage,  and  went  to  Concord  N.  H.  I  found  a  number 
of  preacliers,  brethren  and  acquaintance  belonging  to 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  the  Legis- 


26  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLCV. 

lature  of  the  State  being  then  in  session.  I  have  now 
paid  away  near  thirty  dollars,  for  stage  fare,  since  I 
caine  from  Eastport.  >Some  nnay  think  me  extrava- 
gant, as  there  are  cheaper  ways  of  travelling  in  this 
country  ;  hut  i)ermit  nie  to  state  the  circumstances. 
When  I  left  Portland,  the  first  of  March,  to  go  to 
Eastport  by  water.  Elder  White  took  my  horse  and 
carriage,  and  went  to  Rhode  Island  to  preach  there  in 
my  absence.  When  I  returned  [  was  obliged  to  trav- 
el in  the  stage,  as  before  described. 

Two  days  before  I  started  on  this  journey  from 
Rhode  Island  to  V^ermont,  an  unruly  horse  was  put 
into  my  chaise,  and  ran  away  with  it  ;  the  chaise  was 
immediately  upset,  while  the  horse  affrighted,  was 
upon  the  run,  and  was  not  stopped,  till  he  had  gone 
three  miles  ;  at  which  time  a  little  part  of  the  harness 
was  the  only  thing  attached  to  him. 

Our  calculations  were  then  frustrated  :  Elder  White 
having  no  horse  there,  was  going  with  me  to  the  state 
of  New  Hampshire,  in  order  to  attend  a  yearly  meet- 
ing ;  and  as  it  increased  my  cough  and  spitting  of 
blnoH  tn  riHp  horipbnclf ,  I  let  him  take  my  horse,  and 
I  went  in  the  stage.  But  to  proceed  with  my  narra- 
tion. I  left  Concord,  N.  H.  Saturday  morning,  and 
went  to  Andover,  N.  H.  where  the  yearly  meeting 
was  held.  It  commenced  on  Saturday,  June  8th,  at 
ten  in  the  forenoon,  and  continued  until  Monday  noon. 
The  collection  of  preachers,  brethren  and  people  was 
large.  Many  solemn  truths  were  delivered  and  felt. 
Many  of  the  hearts  of  the  saints  were  comforted, 
while  the  unconverted  mourned. 

Monday,  P.  M.  I  crossed  over  into  Meredith,  at 
which  place  I  found  one  of  my  sisters,  who  had  mov- 
ed from  home  since  I  left  Vermont.  I  preached  there 
on  Tuesday,  A.  M.  we  had  a  full  and  solemn  meet- 
ing. 

Wednesday,  12th,  having  now  about  one  hundred 
miles  to  ride,  1  took  courage,   and  shaped  my  course 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  27 

for  Vermont.  I  arrived  at  my  father's  on  Saturday, 
June  1 5th,  much  fatigued,  with  a  poor,  disordered 
body,  but  I  trust  with  a  thankful  heart.  I  lound  my 
relations  all  living  ;  but  my  two  sisters,  who  formerly 
had  lived  at  home,  and  my  brother  David  had  moved 
away  since  I  left,  which  made  it  appear  rather  lone- 
some ;  as  there  were  only  four  left.  My  father,  moth- 
er, who  was  out  of  health,  my  brother  Jesse,  who  had 
become  an  invalid  by  a  fever  sore,  and  Thomas,  the 
you-nsest  of  the  fam.ily,  being  fourteen  years  of  age. — 
These  are  all  who  remain  to  occupy  the  house  and 
farm  where  once  a  large  family  resided.  It  was,  how- 
ever, but  a  few  hours  after  my  arrival,  before  the  fam- 
ily was  larger  than  usual. 

My  relations  and  neighbors  hastened  to  congratulate 
my  return  ;  we  had  an  agreeable,  precious  interview, 
and  were  not  a  little  rejoiced  at  the  privilege  of  meet- 
ing once  more  on  the  shores  of  mortality.  I  now  re- 
flect W'ith  gratitude  and  admiration,  that  I  have  been 
raised  up  to  labor  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  the  last 
year ;  whereas,  it  was  not  expected  by  my  friends  and 
physician  when  I  was  sick  last  July  and  August,  that 
1  should  be  well  enough  to  preach  agam,  and  much 
less  to  travel  ;  but  I  find  that  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  is 
everlasting  strength. 

I  have  been  absent  about  nine  months  and  a  half, 
have  travelled  at  least  three  thousand  miles,  by  land 
and  sea,  chiefly  bv  the  latter,  and  have  had  the  happi- 
ness of  preaching  Christ  to  thousands,  and  of  seeing 
his  spiritual,  heavenly  kingdom  advanced,  wlii'e  the 
kingdom  of  darkness  is  every  where  falling.  I  have 
enjoyed  the  presence  of  n)y  blessed  Lord,  and  felt  a 
heavenly  peace  in  my  own  soul. 

As  to  my  bodily  health  and  strength,  it  has  been 
poor  and  weak,  i  cannot  say  that  I  enjoyed  one  sin- 
gle day  of  good  health  during  my  absence.  I  had 
several  attacks,  in  which  I  was  threatened  wiih  a  sud- 


28  LIFE  OF  John  COLBY. 

den  removal  from  this  vnle    of  tears,  but  having  ob- 
tained lielj)  iVoni  (jod,  I  remain  till  now. 

I  continued  at  my  father  s  and  in  that  region  from 
June  13d)  to  July  23(1.  Two  weeks  of  the  time  i 
was  scarcely  able  to  sit  up.  My  cough  was  very  dis- 
tressing, my  appetite  and  strength  chiefly  gone.  I 
nevertheless  attended  meeting  every  sabbath  day, 
while  at  home,  although  some  of  the  time  1  was  too 
unwell  to  preach.  I  made  use  of  the  iollowing  medi- 
cine for  my  cough  ;  balsam  of  honey,  balsam  loin, 
tamarack  balsam,  J)oct.  Moore's  essence  of  lifp,  with 
two  or  tliree  sorts  of  valuable  syrups,  made  of  roots 
&c.  About  the  1 2th  of  July  I  began  to  discover  my 
health  was  growing  better.  i  continued  to  gain 
strength  slowly  till  the  23d  of  July,  and  having  preacli- 
ed  and  communed  with  the  church  the  day  hut  one 
before,  and  taken  my  leave  of  them  and  the  people, 
it  only  remained  for  me  to  take  leave  of  my  father's 
family  ;  which,  when  I  was  about  to  do,  my  lather 
asked  me  if  I  was  ready  to  start,  [  answered  him  in 
the  affirmative  ;  he  said,  we  must  again  pray  together 
before  we  part.  I  had  till  then  sustained  the  thoughts 
of  being  separated  from  my  relations  in  Vermont,  with 
more  than  usual  firmness,  but  scarce  had  he  began  to 
pray,  when  1  lound  myself  in  tears,  on  ilea  ring  him 
repeat  these  words  ;  '*■  O  Lord  look  down  from  heav- 
en upon  us,  and  give  us  a  parting  blessing-  I'or  here  is 
our  son  and  brother,  who  after  a  long  absence  from 
us  returned  home,  and  having  been  with  us  a  few  days, 
is  again,  weak  and  feeble  in  body,  about  to  be  separa- 
ted from  us."  I  thought  i  could  trace  his  feelings 
from  his  prayer,  and  was  induced  to  believe  that  lie 
had  serious  doubts  whether  we  should  ever  agam  meet 
on  earth.  I  indeed  fe't  an  unusual  degree  of  anxiety 
about  my  father,  as  he  had  met  with  an  accident  that 
morning ;  he  fell  from  the  upper  (ioor  of  his  still 
house,  by  which  he  was  very  much  shocked.  When 
he  and  his  son  for  whom  he   prayed,  had  both  looked 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  29 

to  the  Lord  for  a  parting  blessing,  I  went  my  way  — 
This  was  on  Tuesday,  July  23d,  1816.  1  had  then 
a  journey  of  about  five  luindred  miles  before  me. 

i^astpori  was  the  place  to  which  I  was  bound.  I 
went  by  the  way  of  Haverhill,  N.  H.  from  thence  to 
Sandwich,  Portland.  Me.  Hallowell  and  Augusta  on 
the  Kennebeck,  then  to  Montville,  and  on  to  Belfast 
and  Buxtown.  Leaving  the  Blue  Hill  on  the  right,  I 
shaped  my  course  (or  Sullivan,  Stuben,  Colombia, 
Jonesboroui^h,  Machias,  Dennisville  and  Easlport,  on 
Moose  Island.  I  preached  several  times  on  the  way. 
I  arrived  at  the  last  mentioned  place,  August  10th, 
and  although  I  was  mucli  fatigued,  yet  I  was  enabled 
to  preach  the  next  day,  being  f!?abbath  day. 

Very  many  attended  to  hear  the  word  with  great  so- 
lemnity. Three  months  have  now  elapsed  since  I  left 
here;  the  church  which  was  gathered  during  my  abode 
here  last  spring,  has  stood  very  firm;  there  are  now 
more  than  thirty  members  belonging  to  it.  They  con- 
tinued their  regular  meetings  while  1  was  absent;  sev- 
eral experienced  religion,  and  many  more  were  seek- 
ing. The  prospect  before  us,  we  could  confidentially 
hope  was  glorious.  A  number  soon  found  it  their  du- 
ty to  follow  the  Saviour  in  the  ordinance  of  baptism. 
The  reformation  solem.";ly  and  gradually  increased^  till 
it  became  more  conspicuous  and  convincing  in  the 
eyes  of  all  the  people. 

Tlie  latter  part  of  September,  my  mind  was  re- 
freshed in  hearing  from  my  dear  bretliren  in  the  state 
of  ilhode  Island,  by  a  letter  from  Elder  Josej)!!  White, 
who  is  now  at  that  place.  He  states  that  it  is  a  good 
time  among  the  brethren.  That  some  have  lately  ex- 
perienced religion;  and  that  he  has  had  the  pleasure  of 
baptizing  Judge  Steer,  who  went  v/ith  great  firmness 
and  composure.  His  wife  and  two  daughters  have 
now  the  happiness,  of  being  members  of  the  same 
church  with  him. 

1  continued  to  preach  at  Eastport  until   November 
24  Vol   ii 


so  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

28tli.  In  the  mean  time  I  visited  Dennisville,  Pe- 
nemaijuon,  East-bay,  Campobello,  Deer-Island,  &c. 
At  the  latter  place  1  called  lo  see  a  young  sailor,  who 
was  very  low  in  consumption;  lie  could  not  utter  a 
word  save  in  a  whisper.  1  soon  found,  however,  that 
he  felt  much  concerned  about  his  future  state.  As  it 
distressed  him  very  much  to  speak,  it  was  deemed 
most  prudent  to  talk  to  him,  without  asking  him  many 
questions.  He  told  me  that  it  would  not  hurt  him  to 
hear  me  talk,  sing,  and  pray,  &c.  but  tiiat  it  would 
give  him  great  satisfaction. 

I  endeavored  to  point  out  in  a  clear  light  the  only 
remedy.  J  was  not  a  little  surprised  and  affected, 
when  J  prayed  to  see  him  arise  and  kneel  with  me. — 
A  few  days  after,  he  was  brought  out  of  darkness  into 
(jod's  marvellous  light,  of  which  happy  change  he 
pave  a  bright  evidence,  and  a  general  satisfaction  to 
the  good  people  in  the  neighborhood.  He  then  sent 
for  me  to  make  him  a  second  visit,  but  my  health,  and 
multiplicity  of  calls  and  appointments  forbade  it.  He 
sent  again  and  again  lor  me,  not  only  to  make  him  a 
private  visit,  but  to  liave  a  meeting  at  his  house,  and 
preach.     1  at  length  made  an  appointment. 

When  the  day  arrived,  it  was  very  stormy,  windy 
and  cold;  I  however  succeeded  in  reaching  the  har- 
bor, by  leaving  the  open  boat  in  which  I  started,  and 
going  on  board  a  decked  vessel.  We  had  a  good 
meeting;  the  young  man  seemed  perfectly  resigned  to 
his  lot,  and  only  wished  the  privilege  of  going  forward 
in  the  ordinance  of  baptism.  He  told  me  that  that 
was  the  reason  of  his  being  so  solicitous  to  have  me 
make  him  a  second  visit.  I  asked  him  if  he  thought 
he  should  survive  the  completion  of  the  ordinance; 
he  replied,  that  he  had  no  doubt,  but  that  he  should 
be  enabled  to  pass  through  it;  that  it  was  the  com- 
mand of  Christ,  and  he  would  support  him.  He 
moreover  said,  that  if  1  would  visit  him  again  on  a 
pleasant  day,  he   would  whisper   out  what  he  had  ex- 


LIFE  OF    JOHN  COLBT.  31 

perienced  to  me,  and  1  could  rehearse  it  to  the  breth- 
ren. I  lold  him  to  rest  perfectly  easy  respecting  that 
ordmance,  to  put  all  his  trtjst  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 
and  that  if  an  opportunity  did  not  present,  he  would 
be  as  accepted  in  the  world  above  without  as  with 
baptism;  for  Christ's  yoke  was  easy,  and  his  burden 
light;  that  is  to  say,  he  required  not  impossibilities  of 
his  creatures. 

The  roughness  of  the  sea  prevented  his  being  bap- 
tized that  day,  and  my  ill  health  afterwards.  1  con- 
templated leaving  Eastport  at  or  before  the  twentieth 
of  October,  but  the  situation  of  things  was  such,  as 
seemed  entirely  to  frustrate  my  designs,  and  forbid 
my  departure. 

The  reformation  increased  more  powerfully,  and 
there  were  new  instances  of  conviction,  or  of  persons 
desiring  an  interest  in  our  prayers,  almost  every  meet- 
ing; the  enquiry  became  more  general  among  almost 
every  class  from  near  90  down  to  youth  and  children. 
One  old  lady  who  had  lived  to  a  great  age,  seen  a 
number  of  reformations,  in  which  her  children  and 
grand  children  had  been  converted,  who  had  contin- 
ued impenitent  through  all,  and  still  felt  opposition  to 
the  glorious  work,  was  struck  under  conviction  from 
bearing  a  sea-captain  talk  whom  she  thought  to  be  se- 
riously iinpressed.  She  told  me  it  came  to  her  mind, 
as  sudden  as  thought,  why  should  I  commisserate  the 
condition  of  this  man  ?  Have  I  not  great  reason  to 
deplore  my  own  wretched  and  depraved  situation.  I 
who  am  a  hardened  and  impenitent  sinner,  four  score 
and  seven  years  old,  blind  by  nature,  and  more  so  as 
to  spiritual  discernment .''  She  was  immediately  struck 
with  great  horror  and  filled  with  fearful  apprehensions; 
often  saying,  that  she  feared  that  she  had  sinned  away 
the  day  of  grace. 

Her  situation  soon  excited  tenderness  and  alarm, 
not  only  in  the  family  and  neighborhood  but  in  some 
zneasure  through  the  town;  all  who  called  to  see  her 


32  LIFE    (»F    JOHN  COLBY. 

confessed  tliat  it  was  the  greal  power  of  God.  She 
continued  much  in  the  same  situation  when  I  left, 
vvliich  was  near  five  weeks  afterwnids.  About  the 
20lh  of  October  1  grew  more  unwell. 

Frequent  colds,  excessive  labors,  evening  and  damp 
airs  had  become  too  hard  for  me. 

My  cou^h  grew  very  distressin;:,  especially  nights. 
This  soon  destroyed  my  appetitei,  and  consumed  my 
strength,  and  !  became  grhduidly  very  weak.  Find- 
ing tlie  tide  of  life  to  ebb  out  apace,  1  endeavoured  to 
set  things  in  order  by  the  assistance  of  (lod  as  last  as 
possible.  My  true  and  faithful  iViend  and  skilful  f)hy- 
sician  J)r.  Mowe,  a  member  of  the  church,  (being  one 
of  the  twelve  that  was  first  embodied)  paid  to  me  ev- 
ery attention,  to  grant  to  me  temporary  aid,  and  keep 
me  along.  Be  not  angry  with  me  O  reader!  say  not 
that  I  was  irrational,  when  I  allege  to  you  that  all  this 
lime  I  ceased  not  from  my  labors.  I  preached  con- 
stantly twice  on  the  sabbath,  attended  conference  in 
the  evening,  and  occasional  meetings  through  the  week 
and  even  officiated  the  two  last  Sabbaths  before  1  lel't, 
I  preached,  broke  bread,  and  baptised.  Being  at 
length  convinced,  that  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  .re- 
cover my  health,  and  also  continue  my  labors,  and 
remain  in  that  climate,  it  became  necessary  for  me  to 
make  my  arrangements  and  depart.  Graiitutde  for- 
bids that  1  should  neglect  to  mention  the  kindness  of 
rny  dear  brother  and  sister  Peavy,  at  whose  house  I 
made  my  home.  I  have  thought  that  had  it  not  l)een 
for  their  exertions  in  particular  and  those  of  the  breth- 
ren in  general  to  provide  every  thing  comfortable  for 
nature,  together  with  the  blessing  of  God  which  1  be- 
lieve attended  their  means,  that  I  nerer  should  have 
left  the  Island.  I  must  say,  1  was  often  a  miracle  and 
wonder  to  myself  when  pi-eaching  and  baptizing,  to 
recollect  how  I  passed  my  nights;  which  was  not  only 
in    a  coughing,   restless,    but  much  of  the  time   in  a 


LIFE  OF    JOHN    COLBF.  33 

sensfcless  sit'.mtion,  (that  is  out  of  my  head.)  Some 
of  tlie  neighbors  desired  the  privilege  of  watching  witli 
me,  but  i  asked  them  how  it  would  apjiear  for  them 
to  watch  with  me  on  Saturday  night,  and  for  me  to 
preach  and  baptise  them  on  the  Sabbath.  The  church 
of  God  at  t'iastport,  now  consisted  of  forty-seven 
members;  and  many  more  I  believed  would  soon 
cleave  unto  the  same  body.  It  was  generally  allow- 
ed, that  the  piosp^ct  was  never  more  encouragmg  in 
that  place  of  a  great  and  glorious  spread  of  the  work 
of  God,  unto  whose  great  name  be  all  the  glory. 

Thursday  November  28!h.  I  waited  in  vain  till  af- 
ternoon for  the  packet's  boat,  that  was  to  come  from 
Lubeck,  (three  miles  distance)  after  me.  It  being 
judged  the  boat  could  not  })ass  on  accouuL-of  the  wind, 
1  went  a  short  distance  to  the  weekly  conference,  at 
Capt.  Shackford's,  where  the  brethren  and  people 
were  assembled  for  worship,  but  very  soon  a  messen 
ger  came  after  me.  1  bade  all  farewell,  and  hastened 
to  the  boat;  which  was  soon  along  side  of  the  packet, 
and  the  packet  under  way.  The  parent,  who  leaves 
his  chddren,  or  the  minister,  who  leaves  his  brethren 
in  the  time  of  reformation  can  only  tell  how  I  felt 
when  I  looked  upon  Eastport  the  last  time  as  I  sailed 
out  of  the  harbor.  Through  storms  and  calms,  we 
made  our  way  along  the  ragged  seas.  1  went  on  shore 
one  evening  m  company  with  the  Captain,  most  of  the 
crew  and  passengers,  and  preached  on  the  island  of 
Montdesat. 

December  2d.  We  wer«  anchored  safe  in  Port- 
land haibor,  the  place  of  our  destination.  In  the  first 
house  I  went  a  newspaper  was  put  into  my  hand  in 
which  I  perceived  the  advertisement  of  a  letter  to  me. 
Four  months  having  now  elapsed  since  1  had  heard 
from  my  relations  in  Vermont,  I  hoped  it  might  be 
from  them.  1  soon  found  my  expectations  certified; 
it  was  written  by  the  hand  of  one  of  my  JJrolhers; — 
after  giving  me  an  account  of  the  family,  the  conver- 
24*  Vol.  ii 


S4  LIFE    OF    JOUM   COLBY. 

sion  of  ilie  meniberc,  and  the  prosperity  of  Zion  in 
general,  lie  says;  "■ '1  here  have  hei  n  two  rcruaikable 
insiarces,  one  of  hfe  and  ilie  otlier  of  death  in  \V  hee- 
lock.  s  Col.  Chase,  a  man  of  note,  dreamed  a  dream, 
vhich  gave  him  much  alarm,  as  he  believed  he  had 
but  a  lew  days  to  live,  lie  was  stiuck  under  power- 
ful conviction,  and  could  not  rest  day  nor  night,  lie 
said,  he  must  sj)eedi!y  2,0  to  hell,  for  his  day  uasover; 
he  coniinued  in  this  situation  until  the  day  arrived, 
that  he  had  appointed  to  die.  Me  called  in  ii.iquiie 
i^radley  and  settled  iiis  estate,  sent  to  llardwich  for 
liis  brother  to  come  and  see  him  die.  'i  lie  neigh- 
bors came  in.  Towards  night  he  took  his  bed  in 
great  distress,  and  all  tlie  spectators  supposed  he  was 
about  to  die.  liis  limbs  grew  cold,  his  breath  short, 
and  about  sunset  he  appeared  nearly  lifeless;  at  leny^-th 
he  began  to  revive,  he  arose,  leaped,  and  praised 
God.  lie  went  from  house  to  house,  preached  on 
bis  way.  This  was  the  instance  of  life.  The  instance 
ol  deatli  was  solemn  and  alarming — a  young  doctor  by 
the  name  of  James  Ruse,  who  had  lately  settled  in 
Wheelock,  commenced  the  business  of  his  prolession. 
Be  was  a  bright,  promisiuji  young  man,  and  much  es- 
teemed by  the  people  in  that  place. 

lie  was  one  day  riding  on  a  load  of  hay,  with  a 
pitchfork  in  his  hand,  and  by  some  unseen  casualty 
ilie  cart  lipped  up,  so  that  he  fell  on  the  side  oi)posiie 
the  teamster,  'ihe  end  of  the  fork  handle  struck  the 
ground  with  the  tines  upward.  Une  of  the  tines  en- 
tered his  eye  and  came  out  about  the  top  of  his  head. 
He  becctme  immediately  senseless  and  expired  in  about 
thirty  minutes. 

His  compiinion  was  immediately  sent  for — when 
she  came  to  view  the  distressing  spectacle,  she  was 
nearly  overcome.  For  a  long  tmie  she  entreated  him 
most  earnestly  to  speak  but  one  word,  but  alas!  she 
could  not  obtain  her  request — his  sun  set  in  the  moru- 
iijg  of  his  days. 


LIFE     OF    JOHN  COLBY.  35 

O  may  the  living  lay  it  to  heart  and  be  also  ready, 
lours  with  mutual  friendship. 

JOx\ATHAi\  COLBY. 

After  resting  two  days  in  Portland,  I  took  my  de- 
parture, in  the  Mail  stage  for  Portsmouth  N,  H.  De- 
cember 5ih.  I  was  cordially  received  by  the  breth- 
ren there.  They  had  written  to  me  at  Easlport,  six 
weeks  prior  to  my  arrival,  to  come  without  delay  and 
labor  wiih  them  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  When 
they  found  1  had  come,  they  flattered  themselves  I 
should  make  a  lengthy  visit,  i  told  them  I  would 
consf^nt  to  stay  over  the  sabbath,  and  then  must  speed 
my  flight  to  Rhode  Island,  and  from  thence  to  fcouth 
Carolina  and  Ceorgia,  for  I  was  convinced  that  an 
immediate  tour  to  a  warm  climate  would  he  of  signal 
service,  and  perhaps  the  only  thing  that  would  save 
my  life.  They  all  noiwithstanding  seemed  to  be  op- 
posed 10  my  going  ;  their  arguments  were,  that  1  was 
already  so  low  in  health  that  I  could  not  endure  the 
fatigue  ol  so  lengthy  a  journey,  and  that  the  most  eli- 
gible meihod  was  for  me  to  stay  there,  preach  a  little, 
and  they  would  doctor  and  administer  to  me  until  i 
got  belter,  'i  he  latter  they  did  with  great  attention, 
for  which  the  Lord  rewarded  them  ;  but  as  to  tlie  for- 
mer, I  found  a  difiiculty  attended,  for  when  the  breth- 
ren saw  a  large  meeting  house  crowded,  and  niuny 
under  distress  of  mind,  their  prayers  would  be.  Lord  ! 
strengihen  brother  Colby  to  preach  this  once.  '1  bus 
they  continued  to  pray  as  long  as  I  staid.  I  contin- 
ued there  nineteen  d  lys,  three  of  wliich  were  sabbath 
days  ;  on  which  I  preached  forenoon,  afternoon  and 
evening.  Meetings  were  also  held  every  night  in  the 
week,  the  most  of  wliich  I  attended  ;  also  some  on 
week  days.  1  baptized  four  ;  a  number  professed  to 
experience  religion,  and  more  or  less  desired  prayer 
in  almost  every  meeting.  It  is  thoujiht  that  a  greater 
prospect  of  a  general  reformation  in  Portsmouth  was 
never  known  ;  time  will   declare    the   lesu't.     After 


36  LIFE  OF  John  COLBY. 

preaching  one  sabbath  chiy,  I  was  so  exhausted  in  the 
evening  and  the  succeeding  day,  &o  weak,  bick,  and 
distressed  at  my  vitals,  that  it  seemed  as  lliough  I 
couhJ  not  continue  long  in  the  body  without  reliel. — 
My  former  resolutions  I  now  determined  to  put  in 
practice,  and  on  the  25  of  December  I  took  the  stage 
and  went  to  Boston,  Mass.  1  rested  there  one  day, 
and  found  myself  loo  feeble  to  sit  up,  much  less  to 
keep  about. 

I'riday,  I  went  on  to  Providence,  R.  I.  ;  tarried  in 
town  over  the  sabbath,  but  did  not  attempt  to  preach. 

Monday,  J)eceniber  30th,  I  went  to  Burrilville,  and 
was  much  fatigued  at  my  arrival. 

January  1st,  1817.  The  trreat  Creator  has  seen  fit 
in  his  infinite  wisdom  to  prolong  my  life  to  the  close 
of  another  year,  and  to  enter  upon  the  borders  ol  a 
new  one.  'i'welve  months  ago  to  day,  1  well  recol- 
lect the  solemn  part  I  had  to  act.  When  1  went  Irom 
Gloucester  to  Burrilvdie  as  with  a  death  warrant,  to 
preach  on  New  Year's  day,  these  words  :  "This  year 
thou  shall  die."  That  Almighty  being  who  is  infinite 
in  knowledge,  being  determined  to  remove  suddenly 
by  death  a  number  of  inhabitants,  no  doubt  gave  tne 
this  text  tiiat  I  might  (j^'ive  thetn  warning.  tSoon  the 
dreadful  summons  came. 

1  can  now  look  back  and  reflect  upon  the  different 
events,  that  have  occurred  the  last  year  ;  but  alas  ! 
how  ignorant  am  I  of  the  important  scenes,  that  will 
unfold  ere  twelve  months  more  shall  roll  around. — 
The  bretliren  and  friends  at  Burrilville  discovering  my 
low  state  of  health,  earnestly  persuaded  me  to  give  up 
my  southern  expedition,  or  at  least  to  stay  with  them 
and  rest  a  few  weeks.  1  consented  to  stay  from  De- 
cember 30th  to  January  k:5th,  making  it  my  home  at 
Smieon  Smith's,  deacon  Salisbury's  and  Capt.  ilhocies' 
where  every  exertion  was  made  to  render  me  com- 
fortable and  restore  my  healih,  but  a))  was  in  vani  ;  it 
was  discovered,  that  1  was  no  beiu.r,  hut  raiiier  grew 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  37 

worse.  During  my  stay  here,  ]  attended  four  meet- 
ings only,  and  was  not  able  to  preach  at  either.  In 
the  meantime  I  went  to  Providence  to  see  Dr  Gano, 
Pastor  of  the  first  baptist  church  in  that  town  ;  know- 
mg  him  to  be  a  man  of  information  and  experience  in 
diseases  of  the  human  body,  as  well  as  mind,  I  thought 
his  advice  might  be  of  signal  service.  He  asked  me 
if  it  was  my  practice  to  preach  close  and  pointed  doc- 
trine to  people.  I  answered  him  in  the  affirmative. — 
He- then  asked  if  I  could  receive  the  like  from  him. 
I  told  him  I  could. 

He  accordingly  pointed  out  my  declining  state  of 
health  in  a  clear  light.  He  told  me  that  he  thought 
there  was  scarce  a  remote  possibility  of  my  living  a 
year  longer,  if  [  continued  in  these  frozen  realms, 
and  I  indeed  from  some  remarks,  that  he  doubted 
whether  I  should  survive  the  spring.  He  then  added 
that  it  was  his  decided  opinion,  that  the  only  probable 
remedy  would  be  a  speedy  journey  to  the  south  : 
should  that  with,  the  blessing  of  God  fail  to  restore  my 
health,  my  work  on  earth  was  done.  His  close  doc- 
trine so  well  agreed  with  my  own  views  and  com- 
plaint, his  advice  with  my  own  particular  impressions 
for  many  months  past,  that  it  was  no  hard  thing  for  me 
to  believe  the  former  and  consent  to  the  latter.  I  ac- 
cordingly took  my  leave  of  the  good  people  at  Burril- 
ville  and  its  vicinity  and  on  Saturday  the  25ih  of  Jan- 
uary went  to  Providence  to  take  my  passage  in  a  pack- 
et to  Charleston,  South  Carolina  ;  but  as  an  apostle 
once  said,  "  bonds  and  afflictions  abide  me,"  1  have 
to  say  disappointments  and  crosses  attend  me,  for  on 
my  arrival  in  town  1  found  the  river  was  frozen  up, 
and  of  course  the  harbor  completely  blockaded.  I 
then  concluded  I  would  go  on  by  land  as  far  as  New 
Haven  or  New  York,  and  take  my  passage  from 
thence,  but  to  this  my  friends  would  not  consent,  be- 
cause of  the  severity  of  the  weather.  J)r  Gano  was 
also  of  opinion  that  I  could  not  prosecute  my  journey 


38  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLBV. 

by  land  with  any  degree  of  safety  ;  that  I  had  better 
wait  a  few  days,  and  the  river  would  probably  be 
open,  and  that  1  should  be  welcome  to  remain  at  his 
liouse,  as  long  as  1  pleased.  For  this  kind  reception 
I  (elt  very  thankfu',  as  it  was  my  desire  to  be  under 
his  care,  as  long  as  I  remained  in  the  place. 

The  cold  weather  continued  to  increase,  until  it  was 
thought  to  be  several  degrees  colder  than  it  had  been 
for  many  years  before.  I  was  thus  detained  in  Prov- 
idence, untd  February,  the  space  of  five  weeks. — 
During  my  continuance  here,  I  was  unable  to  attend  a 
single  meeting  of  public  worship  ;  my  nights  were 
long  and  restless — scarce  an  hour  in  twenty-four  was 
I  clear  from  paiu;  yet  for  the  most  part  my  mind  was 
composed  ; — I  say  to  God's  eternal  praise,  my  soul 
was  happy.  As  the  spring  was  then  commencing, 
and  warm  weather  rapidly  approaching  in  South  Car- 
olina, I  found  it  would  not  do  to  wait  any  longer. — 
The  river  remained  congealed,  and  would  not  proba- 
bly break  under  several  weeks.  Being  informed  that 
the  steamboat  ran  constantly  from  New  London  to 
New  York,  I  concluded  to  travel  to  New  London  by 
land,  and  then  pursue  my  journey  by  water.  I  am 
here  happy  to  bear  testimony  of  the  agreeable  manner, 
in  which  I  spent  my  time  with  my  Iriend  and  brother, 
Dr  Gano,  who  was  a  friend  indeed  to  me.  I  ever  be- 
lieved him  to  be  a  man  of  God,  from  my  first  acquain- 
tance, and  after  living  in  his  family  five  weeks,  1  was 
still  more  convinced  of  his  being  a  pious,  humble, 
faithful  and  able  minister  of  Christ ;  but  as  his,  and 
all  other  faithful  mmister's  praise  is  not  of  man,  but  of 
God,  I  shall  only  add,  that  I  expect  to  meet  him  with 
the  spotless  multitude,  that  no  man  can  number, 
where  he  will  be  richly  rewarded  for  all  his  labours  of 
love. 

Saturday,  March  1st,  my  good  friend  Daniel  Tuck- 
er came  into  town  well  prepared  to  convey  me  to 
New-London  (a  distance  of  sixty  miles)  at  which  place 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  39 

we  arrived  Sabbath  day  evening,  and  according  to  the 
weekly  advertisenoent  in  Providence  papers  the  steam 
boat  was  to  leave  New-London  every  Monday  morn- 
ing for  New-York,  but  on  making  enquiry,  if  the  steam 
boat  was  in,  I  was  informed  the  steam  boat  did  not 
run,  and  had  not  for  many  weeks,  as  the  sound  was 
completely  frozen  over,  so  that  no  vessel  could  pass. 

On  making  further  enquiry,  I  found  that  being  at 
New-London  would  not  remove  the  difficulty  ;  as  that 
place  was  completely  blockaded  w'uh  ice,  and  a  num- 
ber of  vessels  that  had  attempted  to  enter  the  harbor, 
were  bound  fast  m  the  solid  ice.  I  found  I  was  again 
stopped,  and  endeavoured  to  rest  easy,  believing, 
that  all  things,  iti  the  providence  of  God,  should  work 
together  for  good.  While  I  tarried  in  New-London, 
I  attended  one  meeting  on  Sunday  March  9th,  and 
being  strongly  solicited,  1  attempted  to  preach  in  the 
afternoon.  The  same  minister,  who  invited  me,  had 
said  over  and  over  again,  that  I  should  never  again  be 
well  enough  to  preach,  and  that  he  did  not  believe,  I 
should  live  over  a  month.  I  told  him,  it  I  could 
know,  that  the  Lord  spoke  by  him,  it  would  be  a 
pleasing  thought,  that  I  could  leave  this  tenement  of 
clay,  and  in  one  month  be  in  Heaven  to  sing  with 
Jlngels.,  and  to  behold  my  dear  Saviour  face  to  face. 

But  to  proceed  ;  the  weather  being  very  pleasant 
and  warm,  the  embargo  of  ice  was  soon  raised  ;  it 
had,  however,  advanced  so  far  in  the  year,  that  I  had 
nearly  abandoned  the  idea  of  travelling  any  farther 
south,  but  1  finally  concluded,  that  I  should  feel  better 
satisfied  to  go  as  far  as  New-York,  and  after  seeing 
what  effect  il  had,  I  could  better  determine  the  course, 
which  was  most  eligible. 

March  11th  1,  sailed  in  a  packet  for  New-York, 
ar.d  arrived  there  the  12;h.  Whether  1  took  a  little 
cold,  whether  it  was  the  fatigues  of  the  voyage  or  ef- 
fects of  the  sea  air,  1  was  unable  to  determine,  but  I 
found  myself  much  worse,  than  T  was  before  I  left  the 


40  LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY. 

packpt.  The  next  day  I  was  no  better,  and  (hiring 
my  stay  in  the  City,  which  was  nine  days  my  heahh 
evidently  dechned.  1  had  also  an  ulcer  sore,  which 
gathered  and  broke  within,  and  proved  very  (iistress- 
ing.  1  do  not  recollect  that  1  ever  suffered  a  more 
severe  fit  of  sickness  for  the  same  length  of  time  ;  I 
beheve  many  who  saw  me  thought,  1  should  never 
leave  this  citv,  until  I  was  borne  out  on  the  mournful 
hearse,  and  lodged  in  the  cold  grave,  and  indeed  it 
pppeared  to  me,  v^hen  1  looked  behind  me,  around 
me-  to  natural  causes,  and  to  earthly  physicians,  there 
was  notliing  to  be  seen  but  death.  Hut  when  1  turn- 
ed my  eyes  to  the  world  of  glory,  there  was  nothing 
to  be  seen  but  life,  life,  eternal  LIFE  !  before  me, 
nor  had  I  the  shadow  of  a  doubt,  but  there  was  a 
mansion,  a  crown,  a  robe,  and  a  harp  lor  me.  These 
views  could  not  fad  to  make  me  composed  and  hap- 
py, but  O  !  had  I  been  destitute  of  religion,  then  had 
I  been  a  miserable  spectacle  on  earth  of  one  dying  far 
distant  from  all  relations,  dying  among  strangers,  dying 
in  my  sins,  dying  to  be  banished  from  the  iiresence  of 
God,  dyin*  to  endure  the  anguish  of  a  second  death. 

0  Sinner  !  Shall  I  wave  my  subject  to  tell  you,  that  a 
dying  hour  will  be  a  solemn  battle,  when  you  must 
fi^ht  with  one,  who  is  stronger  than  yourself?  liow 
will  your  sins  sharpen  the  sting  of  death,  and  speed 
the  gloomy  chariot  till  he  overtakes  his  victim  ;  and 
when  your  body  is  dead,  your  soul  must  repair  to  a 
slighted,  injured  Judge  to  hear  your  dreadful  doom  ! 
Live  no  longer  without  Christ,  build  on  the  sure 
foundation  and  all  is  well.  But  I  i)ass  to  mention  an- 
other circumstance,  which  added  greatly  to  my  corn- 
fort,  viz.  that  the  LOUD  was  mindful  of  me  in  pre- 
paring me  a  home.  I  was  introduced  to  one  of  the 
first  families  in  A'ew-York  City,  the  Hon.  Judge  B. 
Tallmadge's,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  as 

1  was  informed.  I  was  there  received  as  a  brother, 
and  nursed  as  a  child.     The  Judge  himself,  a  pious, 


LIFE     OF    JOHN  COLBT,  41 

and  worthy  christian  was  not  at  home  ;  being  in  a  de- 
cline lie  had  gone  to  Charleston,  South  Cinolina  lo 
spend  the  winter  for  his  health  May  the  Lord  bless 
him  and  his  family,  and  reward  tliem  in  the  resurrec- 
tion of  the  just,  for  their  labours  of  love  to  me  and 
others.  I  was  now  satisfied,  that  it  was  not  my  duty 
to  proceed  any  further  souih  at  present,  and  ol"  course 
determined,  if  the  Lord  would  give  me  life  and 
strength,  to  shape  my  course  for  my  Father's  in  Ver- 
mont. Accordingly  I  went  on  board  a  packet  the 
21st  of  March  and  returned  to  New-London.  I  was 
so  fatigued,  when  I  arrived  there,  1  could  scarcely 
walk  the  cabin.  After  resting  four  or  five  days  with 
my  good  brother  Sizer,  I  look  the  stage  and  went  to 
Coventry  li.  L  1  stopped  there  three  days.  One  of 
the  bretiiren  then  went  on  with  me  to  Daniel  Tucker's 
in  Smithfield,  and  1  thus  arrived  the  last  day  of  March 
to  one  of  my  good  old  homes  in  Rhode  Island;  but 
how  was  I  surprised  to  learn,  that  my  Father  had  been 
on  there  after  me  in  order  to  carry  me  home.  The 
reasons,  which  induced  him  to  take  this  long  journey 
were  these  ;  he  knew  from  the  letters,  vv'hich  1  had 
transmitted  to  him  that  I  was  reduced  to  a  very  low 
state  of  health,  and  the  last  time  I  wrote  to  him,  I  in- 
formed him  of  my  intention  to  journey  lo  the  south- 
ward. The  next  day  after  he  received  the  letter  he 
started  to  Rhode  Island,  determined  to  find  me  if  pos- 
sible, and  persuade  me  to  return  home  with  him,  but 
if  he  could  not  do  this,  his  plan  was  to  go  on  to  the 
southward  with  me.  Rut  it  so  ha|)pened,  1  had  been 
absent  just  a  week,  when  he  arrived  at  Doctor  Gano's 
in  Providence  where  he  expected  to  find  me  ;  he  then 
relinquished  his  pursuit  and  returned  home.  The 
affectionate  parent,  who  reads  tliis  may  judge  what 
were  the  feelings,  and  the  child  who  hears,  how  I  was 
impressed  on  my  return,  to  tliink  an  aged  parent  had 
taken  so  much  pains  to  bring  home  Joseph's  bones. — 
While  [  tarried  at  i)aniel  Tucker's,  the  brethren  and 
25  Vol   ii 


42  LIFE    tr    J»MN  COLBY. 

people  of  almost  nil  classes  came  in  to  see  me,  as  they 
supposed  for  the  last    time,   and   among   the  rest,  my 
good  friend  Dr  Clano  of   Providence,    who  camy  ten 
miles  to  make  me  a  visit.     His  conversation,  prayers 
snd  visits  were  very  refreshing   to  myself,  the  family, 
and  neighbors,  who  were  collected  together.     1  tarried 
at  I),  flicker's  in   ^^mithfield    and  Father   Rhodes'  in 
l^urrilville  one  fortnight.     Jjeiiig  then  as  well  prepared 
as  I  could  be,  having   a    good  hor^e  and   chaise,  and 
►Stephen  Tucker,  one  of  the    young    l)retl)ren    to  go 
^ith  me,  1  made  another  move  for  home.     I  left  IJur- 
lilville,  R.  I.  on  the  15ih  of  April,  and  arrived  at  my 
father's  in  ^^utton  Vt.  the  24th,  1  was  strengthened  to 
»ndure  the  fatigues  of  the  journey  beyond  my  own  and 
(very  other  person's   expectation,      t^'urely   the  Lord 
V  as  w'ith  me,  his  hand  sustained  me,  or  it  had  been,  as 
many  prophesied,  that  1  should   die   on    the  way  and 
never  reach  home.     I  was  now   once  more  unexpec- 
tedly and  cordially  received  at  the  hospitable  mansion 
ol  "my  Father.     My  brother  Jonathan  and  his  wife  had 
moved  home  to  live  with,  and  take  care  of  ray  parents 
tl;e  remainder  of  their  life.      Every  attention  was  now 
paid  t-o  iheir  son  and  brother  which  his  reduced  situa- 
V:on  demanded,   but    finding  all   their  efforts   bafflefl, 
ihey  began  to  persuade  me  to  have  recourse  to  medi- 
cal aid.     Aotwithstanding  I  had    believed  for  consid- 
erable time,  that  my  disease  would  parry  a'l'the  efTorts 
vi  human  skill,  yet  I  indulged  my  friends  and  consen- 
ted   to    their     propositions.       'ihey    soon,    however 
f(Mmd.  that  all  was  in   vain  ;  my   stubborn  cough  was 
nc  t  to  be  checked  by  the  virtues  of  medicine,  nor  was 
my  disordered  lungs  to  be   healed  by  the  power  of  it. 
Almost  every  person  now  despaired  of  my  recovery — 
my  physicians  considered   me   nearly   gone    with  the 
consiimption — they  said,  that   they  could  do  no  more 
ior  me,  for  I  was  beyond   the   reach  of  medicme. — 
'J'his  1  was  glad  to  hear  them  acknowledge,   for  1  had 
been  sensible  of  the  fact  for   many    months.     I  then 


LIFE  OF    JOHN   COLBT.  43 

•took  tlie  liberty  to  mention  ray  faith  in  the  physician 
of  soul  and  body,  saying  in  tlie  hearing  of  many,  the 
great  physician  in  the  world  of  glory  has  povver  to 
heal  me,  and  if  he  is  sent  for,  I  have  no  doubt  but  he 
will  come  and  do  it  ;  for  he  never  failed  in  a  single 
instance.  The  truth  of  this  saying,  the  manner  ol  his 
being  sent  for,  the  situation  in  which  he  found  me,  [ 
shall  hasten  to  relate.  The  first  week  in  June,  1817, 
it  was  evident  I  was  failing  faster  than  usual  ;  my 
cough  became  extremely  distressing,  which,  togethev 
with  the  weakness  and  pressure  upon  ray  lungs  and  un- 
common sliortness  of  breath  made  it  appear,  and  not 
without  reason,  that  I  should  breathe  my  last.  My 
sleepless  nights,  and  restless  days,  singular  distress  in 
my  heart,  with  occasional  pains  in  every  part  of  the 
system,  cold  sweats  in  the  night,  a  raging  iever  with 
alternate  cold  cliills,  together  with  the  swelling  of  my 
feet  and  legs,  threatened  my  speedy  removal  to  the 
world  of  spirits  ;  nor  do  I  believe  I  could  have  con- 
tinued in  the  body  four  weeks  longer  and  perhaps  not 
one,  had  not  the  Lord  appeared.  The  maimer  of  his 
being  sent  for  I  will  also  mention.  Sunday  eveningj 
June  Sih,  my  father  returned  from  AV^heelock,  whery 
he  had  been  to  attend  a  quarterly  meeting,  and  after 
relating  what  a  wonderful  season  they  had  had,  he 
mentioned  over  the  Elders  who  attended  ;  they  were 
men  with  vvJiom  I  was  well  acquainted,  men  who  had 
been  made  near  to  me.  I  passed  the  night  in  silent 
meditation,  thinking  over  the  goodness  of  God  to  me, 
&c.  [  also  reflected  how  I  had  tried  means  (which  I 
coniider  is  every  one's  duty)  to  regain  my  health,  by 
following  the  directions  of  one  and  another,  but  that  I 
had  never  followed  the  directions  of  the  apostle 
James,  as  mentioned  in  the  5th  Chap.  14th  and  15th 
verses  ;  '•  Is  any  among  you  sick,  ^c."  My  mind 
had  been  much  exercised  on  this  subject  for  some 
time,  and  now  [  resolved  to  put  it  in  practice. 

i\ext  morning,  Jun«  9ih,  iny    father  came  into  my 


44  LIFE  OF  John  coLKi. 

room,  and  I  fold  him  wl.at  passed  in  my  mind,  and 
wluil  1  was  about  to  do.  He  seemed  vei-y  much  re- 
j.)ic(>d,  and  very  strong  in  the  faith  that  it  was  of  the 
i.ord.  1  asked  liim  who  I  should  get  to  go  and  call 
for  the  elders  of  the  church,  he  replied  that  1  •  would 
go  himself,  and  while  he  was  preparing,  lite  very  four 
elders  I  had  selected  came  on  purpose  to  prPiy  for  my 
life,  as  they  informed  me.  'J  his  visit  they  agreed 
upon  the  day  before  at  the  quarterly  meeting.  They 
soon  began  to  pray  to  the  J.ord,  and  his  ears  1  beheve 
were  open  to  their  prayers.  I  felt  the  power  and 
spirit  of  the  Lord  Cod  upon  me,  and  before  they  had 
done  praying,  every  pain  of  body  lelt  me  ;  I  felt  per- 
fectly hap[)y,  ealm  and  free  from  pain  as  I  ever  did  in 
my  life,  'i'lius  I  continued  as  long  as  the  heavenly 
shower  lasted,  which  was  severa   hours. 

I  cannot  say,  as  was  said  of  one  in  scripture,  "  that 
he  was  made  whole  from  that  hour,"  but  I  believe  I 
began  to  amend  from  that  hour.  It  appeared  to  me, 
that  my  disorder  was  routed,  luy  lungs  in  some  meas- 
ure relieved,  that  1  breathed  much  easier,  and  that  my 
cough  began  to  abate.  In  short,  it  appeared  to  me 
like  this,  that  it  appeared  in  answer  to  the  prayer  of 
faith  to  re[)rieve  me  from  the  grave,  and  that  he  would 
again  raise  me  up  to  preach  the  everlasting  gospel. — 
Eut  as  1  had  been  a  long  time  declining,  I  must  rea- 
sonably expect  to  be  a  long  time  recovering.  Tow- 
ards the  latter  part  of  June  the  Lord  sent  along  a  new 
preacher  by  the  name  of  Clarrissa  Danforth,  from 
Wethersfield,  state  of  Vermont.  Her  first  meeting  in 
this  county  was  at  Danville,  where  she  preached  to 
the  admiration  of  a  numerous  auditory.  After  she 
had  |)reached  there  a  few  times,  she  came  to  Sutton, 
and  preached,  and  from  thence  proceeded  to  preach 
in  all  the  towns  around.  She  held  meetings  in  Whee- 
Inck.  Lyndon,  i'urk,  Kireby,  W'alerford,  St.  .lohns- 
bury,  Barnet,  Peacham,  Sheffield,  Newark,  Concord, 
Cabot,  &c.  4'C.     Ii  is  generally  al'owed,   that  there 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  COLBY.  45 

never  has  been  a  preacher  through  these  parts,  that 
called  out  such  muhitiides,  as  went  to  hear  lier. — 
A'or  was  this  the  only  good  effect  which  was  experi- 
enced from  her  preaching,  for  there  was  a  glorious  re- 
vival of  the  work  of  the  Lord  in  almost  every  town 
where  she  preached.  The  high  sherifFof  this  county 
was  among  the  first  of  the  converts.  She  appeared  to 
be  a  young  woman  of  extraordinary  talents,  of  a  good 
education,  and  parentage,  and  of  much  grace.  She 
wa^  four  or  five  and  twenty  years  of  age.  She  in- 
formed me  that  she  was  struck  under  conviction,  by 
hearing  me  speak  six  or  seven  years  ago,  as  I  passed 
through  the  lower  part  of  this  state,  on  my  way  to  the 
Ohio.  She  was  soon  after  converted,  and  had  now 
been  preaching  upwards  of  three  years  with  great  suc- 
cess. 

I  now  pass  on  to  observe,  that  according  to  my 
faith  and  m  answer  to  the  prayers  of  my  brethren,  oa 
the  9ih  of  June,  I  soon  found  my  health  began  to  im- 
prove, and  by  the  last  of  July  I  was  not  only  able  to 
attend  public  worship,  but  sometimes  to  speak  a  few 
minutes  to  the  people.  In  this  I  continued  to  ascend 
the  hill,  through  the  month  of  August.  On  Sunday 
the  24th,  after  public  worship  we  repaired  to  the  wa- 
ter side,  where  prayer  was  wont  to  be  made,  and  it 
being  the  choice  of  the  candidates  that  I  should  bap- 
tize ihem,  I  conferred  not  with  fiesh  and  blood,  but 
walked  down  into  the  water.  Ihis  was  very  unex- 
pected to  nearly  all  the  brethren  and  people,  for  they 
did  not  suppose  I  had  strength  sufficient,  or  that  it 
was  [)Ossible  for  me  to  perform  the  ordinance.  They 
tiierefore  paraded  along  close  by  the  water  ready  to 
leap  in  to  my  assistance  ;  but  a  stronger  arm  than  that 
of  man  supported  me.  I  know  not  that  I  ever  bapti- 
zed with  greater  ease,  or  felt  happier  in  administering; 
the  ordinance. 

On  the  30ih  and  Slst  of  August,  I  attended  a  quar- 
terly meeting  at  Danville,  a  distance  of  sixt3en  ot 
25*  Vol    ii 


46  LIFE   OF  JOHN  COLEV. 

eighteen  miles.  After  meeting  1  returned  liome,  less 
fatigued  than  I  expected,  and  coultl  s:iy  iVom  niy  heart 
in  the  language  ol  that  short  and  impressive  psahn 
(117)  U  praise  the  l.oid  all  ye  nations  ;  praise  him 
all  ye  people.  For  his  mercilul  kindness  is  areat  tow- 
ards us,  and  the  truih  of  the  Lord  eiidureth  lorever. — 
Praise  ye  the  Lord. 

i  continued  at  my  fathers  in  Sntlon  until  the  lOih 
of  Septemberr  1  then  left  my,  father's  house,  went 
to  St.  Johnsbury  and  staid  at  my  aunt  lirockway's, 
11th  went  to  Aeubury  and  slid  at  Col.  ►^iickney's. 
12th  went  to  Riiiuney  ;  13ih  to  Moulionborough  ; 
14th  to  Sandwich  ;  loth  to  Parsonsvdle  to  J'^lder 
Buzzel's  ;  l6ih  to  Elder  Inillock's  ;  I7th  to  Gorhain; 
18th  to  Portland  :  20th  to  Scarborough  ;  21st  to 
York  ;  22nd  to  Portsmouth  ;  2oih  to  Kingstown  ; 
5i6th  to  Haverh'U  ;  27ih  to  Salem  ;  28th  to  Charles- 
ton ;  29ih  to  Attleborough  30lli  to  Providence,  to 
Doct,  Gano's  ;  October  1st  to  Burrilviile  ;  3d  to 
Srnithfield  ;  4th  to  Coi^entry,  to  Elder  Earnam's  ;  5th 
to  jVor\vich  ;  Gih  to  Lime  ;  7th  to  liillingsworth  ; 
8th  to  \ew-Haven  ;  9th  to  Shaifield  ;  lUth  to  Stam- 
ford^- lltL  to  East  Chester;  12th  to  New-York; 
13ih  to  Milion,  New-Jersey;  14th  to  New-Bruns- 
wick; 15th  to  Trenton  ;  IGth  to  Morrisvdle,  Penn- 
sylvania ;  17th  to  Philadelphia,  where  I  continued 
until  the  27th.  At  1  o'clock  I  left  Philadelphia, 
took  the  steam  boat  and  proceeded  down  the  iJela- 
ware  to  Newcastle,  a  distance  of  40  miles  ;  25th  left 
Newcastle  at  four  in  the  morning,  and  went  in  the 
stage  16  miles  to  Erenchtown  ;  tlien  took  the  steam- 
boat and  proceeded  down  the  Elk  river  into  Chesa- 
])eak  bay,  and  from  thence  to  iialtimore  70  miles  ; 
39th  con  inued  in  Baltimore;  30ih  left  Balimare  in 
the  morning,  took  the  steam-boat.  Virginia,  and  arri- 
ved at  Norlolk  in  Virginia  the  next  morning,  200 
miles  ;  continued  in  Norfolk  from  the  31st  ol  Octo- 
ber to  the 


APPENDIX. 


The  foregoing  is  the  last  of  the  journal  written  by 
Elder  John  Colby.  The  first  news  that  saluted  the 
ears  of  his  friends,  was  in  a  Boston  paper,  as  follows: 

OBITUARY. 

"  Departed  this  life,  yesterday  morning,  (Novem- 
ber 2Stl),)  at  the  residence  of  Mr  Wm.  Fauquier,  in 
this  borou;i;h,  after  a  painful  and  lingering  sickness, 
which  he  bore  with  christian  fortitude  and  resignation, 
the  Rev.  JOHN  COLBY,  a  Baptist  minister  from  the 
state  of  Vermont.  A  few  weeks  since,  Mr  Colby 
reached  this  place  from  the  north,  being  on  his  way 
to  Charleston,  S.  C.  where  he  hoped  to  recover  the 
heahh  and  strength  which  he  had  spent  in  the  service 
of  his  Lord  and  Master.  But  it  was  decreed  otlier- 
wise;  his  sufferings  are  at  an  end,  for  he  has  fallen  a- 
sleep  in  the  arms  of  Jesus,  and  his  immortal  spirit  has 
winged  its  flight  to  that  bright  world  of  bliss,  where 
the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary  pil- 
grim is  forever  at  rest.  For  the  satisfaction  of  his  rel- 
atives and  friends  at  a  distance,  and  as  an  act  of  jus- 
tice to  the  worthy  family,  in  whose  house  Mr  Colby 
breathed  his  last,  we  deem  it  proper  to  state,  that  ha 
received  every  respect  and  attention,  which  his  offices 
and  his  sufferings  required." 

J^urfolk,  Va.  paper. 


48  APPENDIX, 

Soon  afler  llils,  his   father   received  ihe    following 
letter  from  the  good  man  at  whose  house  he  deceased. 

"  JVb;/o//e,  Va.Dec.  1,  1817. 
Dear  sir, 

The  ohject  of  this  is  to  afibrd  you  intelligence 
of  the  departure  of  the  Rev.  John  Colby  from  this  in- 
to a  better  life.  On  the  last  of  October,  or  the  first 
of  November,  he  arrived  in  this  place,  journeyins:  to 
the  south  in  ijuest  of  health.  An  immediate  op|)ortu- 
nity  for  his  departure  from  this  place  did  not  ofi'iT. — 
His  heavenly  Father  sent  the  kind  conductor,  death, 
hy  whom  he  was  led  from  this  land  of  sorrow  into  a 
land  of  delight,  which  is  not  infected  with  any  noisome 
pestilence,  or  ccntaniinated  air;  where  lie  will  be  af- 
flicted no  more,  but  spend  an  eternity  in  songs  of 
praise  to  that  rich  free  grace,  of  whicii  he  was  a  par- 
taker, which  of  course  trained  him  to  spend  his  life 
in  the  service  of  his  lieavenly  master.  You  will  find 
here  enclosed  an  obituary  notice  of  his  death. 

He  desired  that  his  books  and  clothes  should  be 
conveyed  to  Dr  Gano's,  Providence,  Rhode-Island, 
w'liich  will  be  done  by  the  first  conveyance.  Alter 
defraying  the  expenses  incurred,  there  is  left  in  my 
hands,  fifiy-two  dollars  and  lorty-niue  cents,  as  per 
statement  below.  He  said  something  about  tlie  erec- 
tion of  a  tomb-stone — should  you  direct  this  to  be 
done,  it  shall  be  promptly  attended  to,  otherwise  you 
are  at  liberty  to  draw  on  me,  or  advise  any  other 
manner  in  which  the  balance  may  be  conveyed  to  you. 
1  ours  truly, 

WM.  M.  FAUQUIER, 
Deacon  of  the  Bainibt  Church  in  Norfolk. 
Cash  left  by  him  in  my  hands,  $103  49 

Board,  medicine    attendance,  20  00 

Funeral  expenses,  31    GO 

$52  49 


f 


APPENDIX.  49 

The  text  on  the  occasion  was,  "  Be  ye  also  ready, 
for  in  such  an  hour,  &c.  the  Son  of  man  cometh." 

The  letter  of  Deacon  Fauquier,  is  publishhd  in  or- 
der to  show  to  the  world  the  good  hand  of  God,  in 
delivering  John  Colby,  his  servant,  into  the  care  of  a 
godly  man,  although  he  had  to  lay  his  bones  nine  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles  from  his  poor  troubled  parents; 
who,  nevertheless,  with  the  greatest  propriety,  could 
say  with  the  apostle,  "  JS'ot  to  sorrow  for  the  dtad  as 
those  who  have  no  hope.  May  God  sanctify  it  to  their 
present  and  eternal  good.'''' 

The  second  letter  that  Deacon  Fauquier  sent  to  his 
father,  states  that  Elder  Colby  arrived  at  his  house  on 
Friday,  much  fatigued;  but  on  the  next  Sunday,  there 
being  no  minister,  he  went  to  meeting  and  delivered 
two  good  discourses,  and  attended  meeting  two  Sun- 
days after*  He  then  told  the  deacon,  that  he  had 
come  a  great  vpay  from  home  to  die  with  him,  and  re- 
quested that  he  might  be  interred  in  their  burying- 
yard.  His  request  was  granted,  and  his  body  rests 
within  the  gloomy  pales  of  the  abodes  of  the  dead. 

According  to  his  desire,  his  father  sent  and  caused 
a  handsome,  white  marble  tomb-stone  to  be  erected, 
and  engraven  with  his  age,  death,  &,c.  which  will 
stand  as  a  monument  to  show  to  the  living  the  spot 
where  his  remains  were  deposited,  until  from  the  sleep- 
ing dust  shall  spring  a  body  of  its  own  seed,  a  spirit- 
ual body,  fashioned  like  unto  the  glorious  body  of 
Christ,  according  to  Paul,  Philippians,  iii,  21:  "  Who 
shall  change  our  vile  body,^^  &c. 


•BIOGRAPHICAL   REMARKS    UPON   THE    CHAKACTER   AND   LABORS 
OF  ELDER  JOHN  COLBY. 

"  He  being  dead  yet  speaketh." — Heb.  iii,  4. 

Elder  Colby  left  the  habitation  of  his  father,  and 
the  company  of  his  friends  in  Vermont,  hke  Phdip,  to 
go  toward  the  south  to  preach  Christ  to  the  people, 
and  woo  a  bride  for  his  master;  indulging,  at  the  same 
time  the  fond  hope  of  regaining  his  heahh,  which  for 
several  years  had  been  impaired,  and  more  especially 
so  for  several  mojiths,  in  this,  however,  he  was  disap- 
pointed, having  arrived  at  tlie  house  of  Deacon   Fau- 

.  quier,  he  became  sensible  that  he  should  die  wiih  him. 
Notwithstanding  his  outward  man  had  long  been  de- 
caying, yet  he  seemed  to  die  suddenly.  It  is  highly 
satisfactory  that  he  was  enabled  to  preach  several 
times  in  the  borough  of  Norfolk  after  his  arrival,  and 
thus  to  finish  in  Virginia,  as  it  were,  before  noon,  those 
gosp«l  labors  which  he  began  in   the  morning  ot   life, 

.  in  tlie  state  of  Vermont. 

It  produces  pleasure  to  the  relations  and  brethren 
of  Elder  Colby  to  contemplate,  that,  as  it  has  pleased 
God  to  call  him  home  when  in  a  distant  land,  nearly 
a  thousand  miles  from  his  friends  in  Vermont,  he  was 
directed  to  the  house  of  such  a  man  as  Dea.  Fauquier 
appears  to  have  been;  that  he  apparently  had  every 
necessary  help,  and  all  due  attention  paid  him,  till  he 
drew  his  last  breath;  and  that  the  mortal  remains  of 
our  departed  brother  were  interred,  in  a  decent  and 
christian  like  manner.  Doubtless,  our  tears  would 
start  afresh,  could  we  have  the  privilege  of  beholding 
the  marble  monument  which  stands  at  the  head  of  his 
grave,  and  there  read  the  name  of  him  whom  we  high- 
ly esteemed  for  his  work's  sake. 

From  a  child  John  Colby  was  pleasing  and  engaging 
in  his  deportment.     From  the  time  that  he  experienc- 


APPENDIX.  51 

ed  religion,  that  which  was  solemn  and  striking  attend- 
ed all  his  transactions.  Those  blossoms  which  ren- 
dered his  summer  delightful,  and  which  ultimately  pro- 
duced such  an  abundant  harvest^  budded  early  in  his 
spring  He  was  converted,  and  by  the  grace  of  God 
prepared  for  the  ministry  very  young.  He  entered 
with  great  boldness  and  confidence,  the  beautiful  field 
of  the  gospel  when  but  a  youth,  and  left  father  and 
mother,  brothers  and  sisters,  houses  and  lands,  for  the 
sa4<e  of  the  gospel;  and  went  forth  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  through  various  states,  preaching  as  he  went, 
saying,  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand,  repent  ye, 
therefore,  and  believe  the  gospel.  -Being  furnished 
with  the  whole  armour  of  God,  and  liaving  weapons 
not  carnal  but  mighty,  he  was  enabled  to  pull  down 
many  of  the  strong  holds  of  sin  and  Satan;  and  by 
him  the  arrows  were  made  sharp  in  the  hearts  of  the 
King's  enemies,  and  himdreds  fell  under  the  word. 

As  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  El- 
der Colby  was  hun)ble,  engaged  and  persevering.  He 
was  instant  in  season,  and  out  of  season.  He  fre- 
quently rode  many  miles,  and  attended  several  meet- 
ings tlie  same  day.  In  his  preaching  he  was  plain  and 
familiar.  He  communicated  his  views  with  ease  to 
himself,  and  satisfaction  to  his  hearers.  Although  he 
was  not  in  the  unpleasant  habit  of  using  great  swelling 
words,  yet  his  language  was  generally  correct,  and 
liis  style  usually  bordering  on  the  subhme.  Like  the 
ancient  holy  men  of  God,  he  spake  as  he  was  moved 
upon  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

He  was  admirably  calculated  to  attract  the  attention 
and  command  the  esteem,  of  all  classes  of  people.—^ 
His  gestures  were  becorning  and  graceful.  His  words 
were  solemn  and  weighty,  well  selected  and  arranged; 
yea,  they  were  like  '^  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of 
silver. 

In  his  public  communications  he  was  not  only  en- 
lightening but  awakening,  entering  deeply  into  the  spir- 


52  APPENDIX. 

it  of  the  subject,  in  which  he  was  engaged.  Hard  in- 
deed must  have  been  the  heart  of  that  person  who 
could  have  beheld  the  almost  worn  out  body,  and 
heard  the  solemn  and  pathetic  addresses,  of  I'.lder 
Colby,  without  melting  into  tenderness,  and  giving  vent 
to  tears. 

Had  not  this  man  of  God  been  called  into  the  work 
of  the  ministery,  he  probably  might  have  sojourned  in 
the  circle  of  his  acquaintance,  prospered  in  the  world, 
and  obtained  the  comforts  of  life,  and  theri^by  have 
escaped  those  severe  conflicts  and  painful  privations, 
to  which  his  calling  subjected  him.  But  it  was  not  so 
with  him.  He  must  leave  all  to  follow  Christ  and  be- 
come a  fisher  of  men. 

This  vessel  was  chosen  to  bear  the  Savoru's  name 
among  the  gentiles.  Be  must  forsake  that /aiAer  who, 
under  Cod,  gave  him  life,  that  mother  who  sustained 
him,  those  brothers  and  sisters  who  were  near  and 
dear  unto  him,  and  all  his  prospects  of  earthly  gain.,  to 
go  forth  weeping,  bearing  precious  seed. 

The  efiect  of  his  preaching  was  wonderful,  and  the 
fruit  of  his  labors  abundant.  He  had  the  satisfaction 
of  seeing  hundreds  of  his  fellow  men  turn  to  God. — 
He  did  not  labor  long  in  any  place  unless  signs  of  re- 
formation began  to  appear,  but  would  leave  that  [)lace 
and  eo  to  another  where  the  Macedonian  cry  was 
heard.  Hence  he  was  in  the  work  of  God,  and  suc- 
cess attended  his  labors  through  the  whole  course  of 
his  ministry. 

He  travelled  and  preached  in  many  places  where  a 
free  gospel  had  not  previously  byen  preacliLd,  raised 
the  standard  of  life,  proclaimed  liberty  to  captives,  and 
the  opening  of  the  prison  to  them  liiat  were  bound. — 
The  Lord  made  liim  instrumental  in  turning  many 
from  darkness  to  liglit,  and  Irom  tlie  power  of  toatan 
unto  God. 

In  the  short   course  of  his  pilgrimage  he   baptized 


APPENDIX. 


53 


mRny  hundreds.*  He  had  the  success,  in  many  in- 
stances, of  turning  a  barren  wilderness  into  a  fruitful 
field;  and  of  planting,  and  setting  in  gospel  order,  sev- 
eral churches.,  which,  wliile  he  rests  from  his  labors, 
are  increasing  in  numbers,  and  growing  in  grace. 

Those  who  are  unacquainted  with  the  operation  and 
effect  of  the  gospel,  and  do  not  know  by  happy  ex- 
perience that  it  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to 
every  one  that  believeth,  will  probably  discredit  some 
of  the  statements  of  Elder  Colby,  concerning  conver- 
sions and  reformations,  or  at  least  may  conclude  that 
the  accounts  are  exaggerated;  but  his  readers  are  as- 
sured that  it  is  not  so.  The  writer  of  these  remarks 
was  personally  acquainted  with  Elder  Colby;  he  has 
also  travelled  into  many  of  those  places  in  which  the 
revivals  of  religion  were,  as  spoken  of  by  him.  There 
are  also  hundreds  of  others,  now  living  in  ttie  states  of 
Vermont,  New-FTampshire,  Maine,  llhode-lsland, 
Ohio,  and  other  places,  who  can  testify  that  the  ac- 
counts which  are  written  in  his  journal  are  true. 

In  the  principles  of  religion  he  was  firm.  He  was 
not  tossed  with  every.,  nor  even  with  any  wind  of  doc- 
trine, contrary  to  the  doctrine  of  Christ.  He  contin- 
ued until  death,  with  that  peoplef  with  whom  he  was 
first  connected;  to  whotn  his  language  was,  during  his 
life,  "  entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,  or  to  return  from 
following  afier  thee." 

In  consquence  of  the  active  labors,  and  indefatiga- 
ble toils  oi  Elder  Colby,  he  had  many  hardships  to 
suiTer,  many  trials  to  encounter,  and  many  temptations 

*  By  a  manuscript  found  amons  his  papers  since  his  decease, 
U  appears  that  from  August  12,  1810,  to  Nuv.  28,  1816,  he  bap- 
tized 610  persons.  The  names  of  these  persons  are  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  publishers,  who  at  first  entertained  an  idea  of  in- 
serting them  at  the  close  of  this  volume — bat  upon  further 
reflection  it  was  thought  to  be  inexpedient. 

f  The  united  churches  of  Christ,  commonly  called  Free-WUl 
Baptists. 

26  Vol   ii 


51  APPENDIX, 

to  endure.  He  left  an  earthly  father's  house  \vl)cre 
Uiere  was  bread  enough  and  to  spare,  and  went  forth 

i^poor,  yet  making  many  n'c/i,  as  having  nothing,  yet 
possessing  all  things.  He  faced  the  |)iercing  winds  of 
ihe  north  by  night  and  by  day  ;  and  underwent  perils 
by  sea  and  by  land,  which  doubtless  hastened  liis 
death  ;  but  he  lived  long  on  ilie  earth,  for  "  that  life 
is  long  which  answers  life's  great  end." 

'  Although  he  was  accustomed  to  expose  error,  to 
bring  to  light  the  hidden  things  of  iniquity,  and  with 
gentleness  and  meekness  to  reprove  the  friults  of  oth- 
ers ;  yet,  he  possessed  an  extensive  degree  of  that 
charity  which  is  the  bond  of  perfectness,  which  hop- 
eth  all  things,  which  endureih  all  things,  and  worketh 
no  ill  to  its  neighl)or.  It  always  appeared  to  rejoice 
hi?  heart  to  see  the  likeness  of  Christ  in  any  person. 
And  so  sensible  was  he  of  his  relation  to  the  children 
of  God,  that  he  was  frequently  heard  to  say,  "  1  John 
am  your  brother,  and  companion  in  tribulation,  and  in 
ihe  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus  Christ." 

Jn  the  private  circle  Elder  Colby  was  also  a  bright 
and  shining  light.  He  was  a  preacher  of  righteousness 
by  \he  fireside.  In  intervals  of  public  worship,  he 
employed  his  time  in  praying,  singing,  and  conversing 
with  the  people  about  the  things  that  belonged  to  their 
peace.  To  bring  the  sinner  to  a  consideration  of  his 
w'f.ys,  to  comfort  the  mourner,  to  instruct  the  saint, 
and  to  build  him  up  in  the  most  holy  faith,  was  his 
endeavor  and  delight.  All  his  movements  seemed  to 
declare  that  he  sought  a  belter,  that  is,  a  heavenly 
country,  a  city  which  hath  foundations  ;  and  that  it 
Wiis  his  principal  aim  to  persuade  others  to  enter  into 
that  rest  whic  h  remaineth  to  the  people  of  God  ;  and 
no  doubt  that  thousands  will  have  reason  to  rejoice  in 
eiernity  that  they  ever  saw  and  heard  him. 

The  light  which  was  in  this  excellent  man  was  sel- 
dom, if  ever,  eclipsed  by  indulging  improper  passions, 
or  tempers  of  mind,  or  any  of  those  vices,  which  usu- 


APPENDIX.  55 

ally  attend  them.  He  appeared  to  have  the  command 
of  liimseir,  or  rather  grace  reigned  in  his  heart,  where- 
by he  was  enabled  to  bruig  under  his  body,  and  keep 
t  in  subjection. 

Wnh  respect  to  the  person  of  this  able  minister  of 
the  new  testament,  a  few  remarks  will  be  made  for 
the  satisfaction  of  those  who  never  saw  him.  His 
form  was  elegant,  his  features  handsome,  his  size 
rather  moderate,  his  constitution  naturally  delicate,  his 
eyes  pleasant  yet  piercing,  his  ears  open  and  attentive, 
and  his  tongue  like  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer.  His 
dress  was  usually  plain  and  decent,  suited  to  his  sta- 
tion and  condition  in  life,  [n  his  manners  he  was 
affable  and  genteel — in  society  he  was  pleasant  and 
agreeable. 

His  modes  of  travelling  from  place  to  place  were 
either  on  horseback,  in  a  chaise,  in  a  stage,  or  by  wa- 
ter, as  his  circumstances  and  health  required. 

These  observations  are  offered  as  a  tribute  of  re- 
spect to  Elder  Colby,  who  has  finished  his  course  on 
earth,  fought  the  good  fight  of  faith,  and  gone  to  re- 
ceive a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away.  In  this 
world  he  had  tribulation,  but  it  continued  only  a  short 
time.  His  trials  are  over,  and  his  troubles  have  come 
to  an  end.  That  glorious  Redeemer,  who  called  him 
to  preach  his  word,  who  held  him  in  iiis  right  hand, 
and  was  with  him  while  here,  has  now  received  him 
to  himsplf,  and  has  wiped  away  all  tears  from  his  eyes. 
He  now  plucks  ambrosial  fruit  from  life's  fair  tree, 
which  is  in  the  mid.-t  of  the  paradise  of  God.  He 
dwells  in  that  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens. 

And  now,  O  reader  !  let  the  godly  life  and  pious 
examples  of  this  faithful  servant  of  Christ,  stimulate 
you,  if  you  are  a  professor  of  religion,  like  him  to 
deny  yourself,  take  the  cross,  and  follow  the  Saviour; 
leaving  the  enjoyments  of  earth,   for  the  far  superior 


66  APPENDIX. 

joys  wliich  are  found  in   living   a  holy  life  devoted  to 
the  service  of  (iod. 

But  if  you  have  never  yet  experienced  a  chanjre  of 
heart,  fear  to  live  any  longer  in  sin,  lest  the  day  of 
grace  should  be  over,  and  the  wages  of  sin  which  is 
death,  should  suddenly  come  upon  you.  Turn  to  the 
Lord  now  while  it  is  an  excepted  time,  that  you  may 
enjoy  the  couilbrts  of  religion  here,  and  be  prepared 
with  John  Colby  and  all  the  redeemed  of  the  i.ord, 
fur  the  kingdom  of  eternal  glory. 

The  following  letter  to  the  publisher  of  the  N^evv- 
York  edition,  will  doubtless  be  interesting  to  many, 
as  it  contains  some  particulars  relative  to  the  last 
hours  of  Elder  Coley. 

West-Bloomjidd,  JS\  Y.  December  4,  1826. 

Dear  Brother, 

I  am  much  pleased  to  learn,  that  you  are  en- 
gaged in  publishing  a  second  edition  of  Llder  John 
Colby's  Journal.  The  work  I  have  been  delighted 
will),  and  think  it  a  book  wiiich  cannot  be  too  widely 
circulated,  or  too  generally  read.  W  bile  the  journals 
of  many  have  been  published,  to  little  profit,  it  is  a  fact 
that  others  have  proved  a  rich  legacy  to  community, 
and  a  peculiar  blessing  to  thousands.  How  many, 
from  readiufir  the  lives  of  Hoicard^  Brainerd  and 
Xavier,  have  seemed  to  catch  the  same  spirit  that  ac- 
tuated the  men  of  whom  they  i^ead.  Would  to  heav, 
en,  that  thousands  might  catch  the  spirit  of  Colby,  and 
follow  him  as  he  tollowed  Christ.  Jsuch  journals,  al- 
so, frequently  find  way  to  the  retired  cottage,  where 
they  are  read  with  profit  and  delight.  I  know  one 
man,  who  in  early  life  professed  religion  but  for  sev- 
eral years  had  lived  in  a  backslidden  state.  While 
in  this  condition,  as  he  informed  me,  Elder  Colby's 
.Tournal  providentially  fell  in  his  way  ;  he  read  it.  and 
it  proved  a  means,  under  God,  of  reclaiming  the  wan- 
derer and  briosiing:  him   back  to  the  fold  ol  Christ. — 


APPENDIX.  57 

Tills,  probably,  is  only  one  of  many  instances  wliich 
ini^ht  be  named,  where  souls  have  been  benefitted  hy 
rea(hng  this  Journal.  Elder  Colby  I  never  saw,  but 
in  niaiiy  phices  where  I  have  travelled,  the  h'nits  of  his 
labors  remain  as  more  lasting  monuments  of  his  worth, 
than  euloiiiums  can  from  a  pen  like  mine. 

While  on  a  lour  through  the  south  part  of  Virginia, 
in  the  winter  of  1824,  I  spent  several  days  in  tl)8  vi- 
cinity of  iVorfolk.  Having  learned  that  Llder  Col  by- 
died  there,  I  concluded  to  visit  the  sacred  spot  where 
his  bones  slumber.  Elder  O.  E.  Morrill,  of  Ca'o, 
N.  Y.  being  in  company  with  me,  we  were  conducted 
by  a  friend  to  the  residence  of  Deacon  Fauquier,  to 
whom  we  were  politely  introduced.  We  found  him, 
to  appearance,  a  genth^nan  and  a  Christian,  lie  coii- 
versi'd  wiih  us  freely,  relative  to  Elder  Colhy's  intro- 
duction into  Norfolk,  together  with  his  last  sickness 
and  death  Deacon  F.  happened  to  be  a  passenger 
in  the  same  vessel  that  Elder  Colby  came  in  to  Nor- 
folk. While  together  on  board,  they  contracted  a 
pleasing  acquaintance  with  each  other,  'i  he  baptist 
church  to  which  Deacon  F.  belonged,  being  then  des- 
titute of  a  preacher,  he  mvited  Elder  Colby  to  spend 
several  d  lys  at  his  house,  and  in  case  his  health  would 
permit,  to  preach  to  them  the  next  Sabbath.  'I'he 
invitation  was  accepted,  and  on  the  following  Sabbath 
he  preached  a  very  satisfactory  sermon  m  the  meeting 
house  alluded  to.  During  the  week  follov\ing.  his 
health  appeared  fast  to  decline,  he  however  requested 
on  the  next  Sabbath,  to  be  conveyed  to  the  meeting- 
house, that  he  might  preach  once  more.  He  was  ac- 
cordingly carried  to  ihe  place,  ascended  the  pulpit  a- 
lone,  and  spoke  to  the  people  about  three  quarters  of 
an  hour.  Deacon  F.  remarked,  that  while  standing 
in  the  |)ulpit,  he  looked  more  like  a  corpse  than  a 
living  person.  Plis  mind,  however,  was  composed, 
and  his  testimony  solemn  and  weighty.  At  the  close 
of  the  exercises,  he  was  led  out  of  the  pulpit.  On 
26*  Vol    ii 


58  APPENDIX. 

going  out  of  the  meeting- house,  he  told  Deacon  F,  he 
thought  he  had  pieacdied  liis  last  sennon.  I!e  then 
selected  a  spot  of  grouiul,  vvliere  he  expressed  his  de- 
sire he  might  ho  buried.  Jfe  was  then  conveyed 
back  to  Deacon  F.'s  liouse,  which  he  never  lelt,  till 
death  ended  his  pains  and  aflliclions.  A  heavenly  se- 
renity and  composure  of  mind,  as  our  infoiniani  lold 
us,  seemed  to  buoy  up  his  s|iiriis  in  his  last  monuiiiSj 
and  even  to  create  a  smile  on  his  pale  countenance, 
when  sinkmg  in  the  arms  of  death.  The  name  of 
Jeaus  hung  upon  his  lips  while  able  to  speak  of  his 
goodness,  an-l  he  ceased  not  to  recommend  him  to 
ail  who  came  around  his  bed,  till  his  voice  became 
uiuie  in  death. 

After  souie  conversation  with  Deacon  F.  he  accom- 
panied us  to  the  grave  'i  he  meeting  house  in  w^i'eh 
Elder  ColL)y  preached  his  last  sermon,  is  a  large, 
plaui  brick  building,  standing  in  a  central  i)art  of 
i^orlolk.  It  is  surrounded  by  a  small  pleasant  green, 
separated  on  the  east  from  a  grave-yard  by  a  stone 
wall  ;  it  is  also  walled  in  on  two  other  sides,  and  en- 
i-losed  in  front  by  a  handsome  paling.  We  entered 
the  enclosure  by  a  small  gate,  and  passing  to  the  east 
end  of  the  meeting-house,  a  plain  marble  stone,  sHiud- 
ing  by  it>elf,  pointed  us  to  the  grave  of  Colby.  It  is 
with  n  the  meeting-house  enclosure,  and  near  to  the 
wall  which  separates  the  green  from  the  grave-yard 
directly  back  of  the  pulpit,  and  about  fifteen  feet  Irotn 
the  meeimg-house.  When  Flder  Colby  made  known 
his  desire  to  be  buried  in  that  spot,  Deacon  F.  told 
him  he  kn.ew  not  that  the  jfround  could  be  obtained, 
as  the  society  had  objected  to  bur}  nig  in  the  meeting- 
house green  but,  however,  assured  him  that,  should  it 
be  needeil,  he  would  use  exertions  to  obtain  ih.e 
ground.  Accordingly,  after  Elder  Colby  s  death, 
ihi()n;£,b  the  influence  of  Deacon  F.  the  request  was 
complied  will).     Tliere  is  but  one  stone  standing  at 


APPENDIX.  59 

v.. 

his  grave,  and  this  simply  contains  his  name,  place  of 
his  bulli,  time  of  his  death,  and  age. 

We  spent  probably  thirty  minutes  at  this  grave.  I 
walked  round  it  several  limes,  viewed  the  mound  that 
covers  his  body,  and  read  the  inscription  upon  the 
marble  stone,  over  ar.d  over  again.  Tiien  leaning 
over  the  gravestone,  a  train  of  reflections  passed  my 
XTiind,  accon)panied  with  an  impression,  never  to  be 
erased  hom  my  memory,  I  tliought  of  the  person 
whose  remains  were  here  entombed  ;  liis  pious  zeal, 
his  gospel  labors,  and  toil,  which  had  worn  him  out, 
even  in  the  morning  of  life,  i  reflected  on  the  hun- 
dreds, who  would  probably  rejoice,  in  eternity,  that 
they  had  ever  heard  his  voice  and  attended  to  his  in- 
structions. My  mind  ran  l)ack  to  ttie  solemn  leave 
he  took  of  his  parents,  kiiidred  and  breiliien,  in  Aevv- 
Engiand;  starting  for  the  south,  with  some  hope  of 
regaining  his  health.  I  looked  at  the  building  in  which 
he  preached  for  the  last  time,  and  fancied  his  thoughts, 
his  reflections,  when  laid  upon  the  couch  of  death,  a- 
mong  sirangers,  far  from  his  tender  parents  and  rel- 
atives, and  even  from  his  dear  brethren,  who  would 
have  tliouglit  it  a  privilege  to  have  attended  him  in  his 
last  moments.  1  viewed,  as  it  were.  Ijis  lifeless  re- 
mains laid  upon  the  sable  hearse,  slowly  lollowed  by 
a  company  of  generous  strangers  to  this  sacred  spot, 
where  they  will  probably  repose,  in  peace  till  the  res- 
urrection morn 

i  walked  a  (ew  rods  from  the  grave,  turned  and 
gazed  upon  it  again,  and  bade  it  a  final  farewell  ! 

I'ron;  the  best  information  I  h-ive  been  able  to  ob- 
tain, from  many  witnesses,  1  think,  for  tlie  short  period 
of  his  labors,  few  men  in  our  day  have  been  .nore  use- 
ful in  the  gospel  vineyard  than  Elder  John  Colby. — 
God  grant  his  mantle  may  fall  on  some  other. 

\\  all  sentiments  of  esteem,  I  am  votirs  tnilv, 

DAVID  MILLARD. 

To  Elder  David  Marks,  Jr. 


LINES  SUaaESTED  BV  A  RECOLLECTION  OP 
JOHN  COLBY. 

Colby,  thy  memory  ih  dear!  thy  l)eart, 
Touched  with  a  sense  of  things  divine,  apart 
In  sacred  solitude,  deli:,dils  to  dwell 
Upon  those  virtues  which  adorn'd  thee  well. 
The  christian  name  was  thine.     Through  God's  free  grace 
Worthy  wert  thou  !  This  ev'ry  eye  could  trace  : 
The  moral  sense  in  thee  was  strong — a  son, 
A  brother,  or  a  frit-nd,  thy  carriage  won 
Upon  the  soul.     Respect  was  ihme — and  none 
Could  say  but  Colby  in  the  virtues  shone. 

A  minister  of  God  ;  with  holy  zeal 
And  heavenly  love  all  burning,  thou  didst  feel 
For  dying  inan.     The  groves  were  thy  retreat  ; 
Where,  often,  like  some  Patriarch,  thou  didst  meet 
Thy  heavenly  Father;  and,  i)efore  his  throne 
With  rev'rence  bow'd,  convers'd  with  him  alone. 
Oh  I  there  the  hapless  sinner  was  thy  care; 
His  case. upon  the  wings  of  fervent  prayer 
Was  sent  above;  nor  sent  in  vain  I  The  great, 
The  ever  blessed,  from  his  starry  height. 
Heard  thy  desire.     Down,  down,  the  Spirit  came 
His  heart  to  touch,  thy  soul  to  light  with  flame  I 
Thy  circuit  was  extensive.     Like  a  Paul, 
Oft  didst  thou  journey   dying  souls  to  call 
From  wrath  and  ruin  to  the  good  old  way. 
Where  the  saints  sing,  and  sinners  learn  to  pray. 
And  who  that  witnessed  thee  upon  the  word 
Of  Hobj  Writ,  when  speaking  for  thy  Lord, 
But  saw  the  unction — felt  the  searching  truth  ? 
Old  age  was  captive,  charm'd  were  giddy  youth  !    . 
Many  who  heard  thee,  gave  their  hearts  to  God, 
And  in  thy  crown  will  shine  a  bright  reward  ! 

But  all  must  die,  and  thuu  among  the  rest; 
Yet  angels  hail  thee  happy  with  the  blest  1 
But  where  thy  mantle?     When  Elijah's  fell, 
It  was  Elisha's!     Him  it  suited  well  I 
His  ardent  soul  a  richer  glow  possess'd 
Of  that  which  fir'd  his  sire's  prophetic  breast. 
Oh  I  Thou,  the  sinner's  friend  I  let  thousands  rise 
With  Colby's  spirit,  winning  for  the  skies 
Tne  stubborn  heart.     Let  thousands,  thousands  go 
And  preach,  like  him,  through  all  the  world  below  I 


CLOSING   REMARKS, 

PREPARED    FOR    THIS    EDITION. 


The  writer  of  this  brief  notice  of  Elder  Collty,  never  saw 
that  devoted  servant  of  God.  Bat  as  he  has  visited  many 
places  where  he  labored,  and  conversed  with  many  persons 
wlio  were  intimately  acquainted  with  hitn,  he  trusts  that  the 
following  account  of  his  ministerial  character  is  strictly 
true.  It  may  be  proper  to  state  that  this  article  was  nec- 
essarily penned  under  circumstances  that  made  it  impossi- 
ble for  the  writer  to  bestow  upon  it  much  attention  ;  hence 
it  is  more  defective  than  it  otherwise  would  have  been. 

It  may  truly  be  said  of  the  author  of  the  preceding  jour- 
nal, that  few  men  with  the  same  means  have  been  as  useful 
ns  he  was.  Without  the  advantages  of  a  collegiate  educa- 
tion and  a  regular  course  of  study  in  theology,  through  his 
faithful  labors  many  were  turned  from  darkness  to  light  and 
from  the  power  of  satan  to  serve  the  living  God. 

As  many  with  far  greater  advantages  have  preached  much 
longer  than  he  did  without  doing  the  same  amount  of  good, 
it  is  natural  to  enquire,  by  what  means  did  he  accomplish 
so  much  in  the  short  course  of  his  ministry  ?  In  answer  to 
this  question  it  may  be  asserted,  that  whatever  else  con- 
tributed to  his  great  usefulness,  his  resemblance  of  Christ 
was  undoubtedly  the  efficient  instrumental  cause  of  his  suc- 
cess. Passing  by  his  early  piety  and  his  obedience  to  his 
parents  as  having  no  direct  bearing  on  his  usefulness  as  a 
minister,  but  in  both  of  which  he  much  resembled  his  Sa- 
viour, he  imiled  him  in  the  following  graces  and  virtues. 


C2 


APPENDIX. 


1.  In  his  unliving  diligence  in  doing  good.  Few  minis- 
ters since  tlie  days  of  tlie  apostles,  have  more  carefully  fol- 
lowed the  iinitable  example  of  Christ  in  this  respect.  In 
the  noble  work  of  going  "about  doing  good,"  he  eaily  sac- 
rificed his  valuable  life.  His  journal  contains  abundant 
evidence  cf  his  devotion  to  the  welfare  of  his  fellow  men  ; 
and,  I  regret  to  add,  too  much  proof  that  he  did  not  always 
observe  the  rules  of  prudence  in  the  preservation  of  his 
health. 

2.  In  lotvliness  of  mind.  Although  he  was  much  esteem- 
ed and  had  many  friends  among  the  respectable  and  weal- 
thy, he  minded  not  high  things,  but  condescended  to  men 
of  low  estate.  As  far  as  it  was  practicable  he  visited  the 
poor  as  well  as  the  rich,  and  never  seemed  to  fe"!  himself 
above  any  good  man.  Consequently  he  did  not  pay  that 
difference  to  "a  gold  ring,''  "goodly  apparel,"  and  sordid 
wealth,  that  some  ministers  pay  to  these  th  n^s,  to  the  .dis- 
grace of  their  holy  calling  and   to  the  reproach  of  religion. 

3.  In  his  inoffensive  life.  That  those  whose  sins  he  re- 
proved, sometimes  complained  of  him,  is  evident;  nor  is 
this  strange.  But  it  is  obvious  that  few  ministers  ever  gave 
less  occasion  for  offence. 

4.  //:  self-denial.  Notwithstanding  he  was  much  es- 
teemed by  his  connections  and  friends,  and  also  had  the 
means  of  living  at  ease,  he  gave  up  his  prospects  of  riches, 
honor,  and  pleasure,  to  wander  a  lonely  stranger  and  en- 
dure the  privations  incident  to  n  toilsome  itinerant  life,  to 
preach  tlie  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 

5.  In  contentment  tcith  his  condition.  He  freely  forsook 
the  world  with  its  allurements,  and  sulijected  himself  to  the 
condition  of  one  who  feels  that  he  has  no  abiding  place  on 
earth.  But  amidst  all  the  fatigues  and  inconveniences  of 
euch  a  state,  he  seems  to  have  been  well  satisfied  with  his 
lot. 

6.  In  being  much  engaged  in  the  duty  of  prayer.  If  he 
did  not  sometimes  spend  "  all  night  in  prayer  to  God,"  lie 


APPENDIX.  63 

often  "  went  into  a  solitary  place  and  prayed,"  He  gener- 
ally spent  some  time  in  prqyerwith  the  families  that  he  vis- 
ited ;  and  ufcen  before  and  after  preaching',  he  went  to  the 
grove  or  to  some  other  retired  place  to  pray,  frequently  con- 
tinuing a  long  tiwie  in  tliis  exercise.  When  riding  in  com- 
pany, he  would  (Sometimes  slack  the  pace  of  his  horse,  drop 
the  reins  upon  his  neck,  and  mentally  look  up  to  God.  If, 
when  conversing  with  the  impenitent,  he  saw  no  indications 
of  repentance,  he  generally  either  prayed  with  them  or  re- 
tired to  pray  for  them  ;  and  thus  in  many  instances  persons 
were  converted  who  seemed  to  have  been  almost  beyond 
the  reach  of  the  influence  of  religion.  In  praying  for  the 
anxious,  he  seemed  never  to  tire  ;  he  sometimes  continued 
his  supplications  for  them  more  than  an  hour,  and  many  were 
brought  into  the  liberty  of  the  gospel  while  he  was  praying 
for  them. 

7.  In  praising  God  for  his  mercies.  A  good  writer  sayg, 
"  Our  blessed  Saviour  was  a  great  pattern  of  thankfulness," 
and  refers  to  Mat.  xi.  25,  and  John  xi.  40,  as  furnishing 
proof  of  his  statements.  And  that  Colby  imitated  Christ  in 
the  performance  of  his  duty,  must  be  manifest  to  those  who 
have  read  his  journal. 

8.  In  his  holy  conversation.  He  seldom  if  ever  indulged 
himself  in  "foolish  talking."  or  "jesting;"  consequently 
his  conversation  was  "  good  to  the  use  of  edifying,"  that  it 
might  "  minister  grace  unto  the  hearers.''  As  he  ardently 
loved  the  Saviour,  the  souls  of  men,  and  the  cause  of  relig- 
ion, he  delighted  to  converse  on  spiritual  things.  As  it  re- 
gards conversation,  he  acted  on  the  principle  that  a  minister 
should  set  an  example  for  those  around  him,  rather  than  fol- 
low, as  too  many  ministers  and  professori  of  religion  do,  the 
examples  of  the  world.  His  doctrine  often  dropped  as  the 
rain,  and  his  speech  distilled  as  the  dew,  upon  those  ihat 
heard  him,  and  many  were  led  to  wonder  at  the  gracious 
words  that  proceeded  out  of  his  mouth.  To  use  the  language 
of  one  who  knew  him  well,  his  object  both  in  preaching  and 
in  personal  conversation,  was   solely  to  kill  sin.     Hence  it 


G4  APPENDIX, 

is  not  strange  that  his  conversation  was  often  a  means  of 
awakening  souls,  and  of  comforting  the  people  of  liod, 

9.  In  holiness  of  heart  arid  life.  He  was  always  sensi- 
ble that  holiness  becomes  the  house  of  God  forever,  and 
that  ministers  especially,  should  be  holy  in  heart  and  life. — 
He  delighted  in  holy  persons,  holy  conversation,  and  holy 
things;  and  it  appears  his  motto  was   Holiness  to  the  fiOrd. 

As  he  imitated  Christ  in  the  graces  and  virtues  already 
mentioned,  ami  also  in  others  that  might  be  noticed,  it  is 
not  surprising  that  his  labors  were  so  abundantly  blessed. — 
Let  ministers  and  christians  who  wish  to  be  useful  in  the 
world,  follow  John  Colby  as  he  followed  Christ,  and  the 
Lord  will  ffive  them  the  desire  of  their  heart. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


orm  L9-75m-7,'61  (C1437s4)444 


BX 

6379 

C67A2 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


AA    000  832  878    3 


